Criminology 3e Chapter 6 lecture Part 1 of 5

Summary

In this criminology lecture, the professor introduces social structure theories, specifically focusing on social disorganization, strain theory, and culture conflict theory. The lecture covers the relationship between society’s structure and crime, emphasizing how different social environments and socialization processes influence criminal behavior. Through sociological theories, the course explains crime as a response to societal factors such as poverty, community disarray, and cultural conflicts. The session breaks down major principles, offers examples like the Brewery Town incident, and prepares students for future discussions on crime and social structures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sociological criminology theories focus on the relationship between societal structures and criminal behavior.
• 😀 Theories emphasize the role of **social structure** in explaining why crime occurs, especially through group behaviors rather than individual actions.
• 😀 **Social Disorganization Theory** suggests that crime arises from weakened social institutions and disorganized communities.
• 😀 **Strain Theory** argues that crime results from societal pressures or strain, with individuals reacting in various ways to these stresses.
• 😀 **Culture Conflict Theory** highlights how cultural differences, especially between immigrants and the host society, can lead to criminal behavior.
• 😀 In **Social Structure Theories**, crime is often the result of societal factors such as inequality, poverty, and lack of resources.
• 😀 Theories emphasize the importance of understanding group behaviors and social relationships in criminology, not just individual actions.
• 😀 The **Brewery Town article** serves as a practical example of how cultural conflicts and societal pressures influence criminal behavior.
• 😀 Understanding the interplay between **social structure** and crime requires analyzing how communities are organized and how individuals within those communities respond to societal stressors.
• 😀 The lecture encourages students to review **PowerPoints** and readings before and after lectures for deeper understanding of criminological theories.
• 😀 The upcoming videos will go deeper into each of the three major theories (Social Disorganization, Strain, Culture Conflict), with a focus on their application to real-world scenarios.

Q & A

What are the three major types of social structure theories discussed in the lecture?

The three major types of social structure theories are Social Disorganization Theory, Strain Theory, and Culture Conflict Theory.

What does Social Disorganization Theory suggest about crime?

Social Disorganization Theory suggests that crime is a result of a disorganized society where the structure of the community is deteriorating, leading to negative behaviors.

How does Strain Theory explain criminal behavior?

Strain Theory posits that individuals respond to stress or strain caused by societal pressures in various ways, and some may turn to crime as a response to the strain they experience.

What is the core idea behind Culture Conflict Theory?

Culture Conflict Theory focuses on the clash between different cultural norms and values, often leading to behaviors that are deemed criminal in the dominant culture, especially when individuals from different cultures move into a new society.

How do sociological theories differ from biological or psychological theories of crime?

Sociological theories focus on how external societal factors, such as the structure of society and social processes, influence criminal behavior, while biological and psychological theories emphasize internal factors, such as genetics or mental health.

What is the concept of 'relative deprivation' mentioned in the lecture?

Relative deprivation refers to the feeling of frustration and injustice experienced by individuals who are deprived of resources or opportunities compared to others, which may lead them to engage in criminal activities as a way to achieve what they feel they deserve.

What is the 'broken windows' theory of crime, and how is it related to social structure?

The 'broken windows' theory suggests that visible signs of disorder, such as graffiti or abandoned buildings, can lead to increased crime. It relates to social structure in that the physical environment and social disorganization can influence criminal behavior.

Why does the lecturer mention the need to cite the textbook and not just the PowerPoint in academic work?

The lecturer emphasizes citing the textbook properly because the PowerPoint was created by Pearson's team, and it is important to properly attribute the original source rather than just citing the PowerPoint itself.

What is the suggested approach to studying the chapter and preparing for the class?

The lecturer suggests first reading and highlighting key points from the chapter, then attending the lecture, followed by reviewing the material again. This approach is meant to reinforce learning and help answer end-of-chapter questions.

How does the lecturer differentiate between social structure and social process theories?

Social structure theories focus on the organization of society and its impact on crime, while social process theories emphasize how individuals are influenced by their interactions with others and the socialization process.