CRIM 101 Chapter 8: Ch. 8 Sociological Theories
13 Oct 2011
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Document Summary
Sociological approaches utilize a macro perspective stressing behavioural tendencies for group members, rather than attempting to predict the behaviour of specific individuals. Explain crime by reference to various aspects of the social fabric. They emphasize relationships among social institutions and describe the types of behaviour that tend to characterize groups of people as opposed to individual. There are 3 types of social structure theories: ecological theories, strain theories, and culture conflict theories. An approach to criminological theorizing that attempts to link the structure and organization of the human community to interactions with its localized environment. A sociological approach, which posits a disjuncture between socially and subculturally sanctioned means and goals, as the cause of criminal behaviour: strain theory (merton) Holds that crime is a means of problem-solving behaviour committed by individuals who experience a frustration in achieving socially acceptable goals using conventional means.
