Compare and Contrast the Strain Theory and the Social Disorganization Theory

Strain theory states that certain societies may pressure individuals to commit a crime. Strain may be either structural, namely where the individual feels that his or her needs are not met and turns to crime, therefore, as way of meeting these needs. In this case, processes at the societal level filter adown and effect the individual's perception regarding how he or she perceives her need. For instance, the particular society may be too constricting and disallow the individual from meeting his needs. The individual then turns to crime as outlet to meet it.

The strain may be also individual where society's goals become so important to the individual that he or she looks for ways to achieve and meet them, and unable to accomplish them in the normal way, reverts to crime in order to do so. The end of achieving these goals, in other words, becomes more important than the means taken in order to do so.

General strain theory looks at the strain in the life of the individual and whether that is strong enough to induce his attraction to crime. Agnew, author of general strain theory, posited negative and positive strains where the negative strain existed discouraging individuals from reaching their goal hence they turned to crime in order to do so. This is absence of a necessary motivator. Whilst the positive situation refers to accumulation of constrictive, positively valenced stimuli that lends negative stress and strain on the individual (Pfohl, 1994).

(2) Characterize the social disorganization theory.

Social disorganization theory states that environment matters as much, or more, than the individual's characteristics such as age, gender, race etc. In attracting one to crime. The theory doesn't apply to all crime only to street crime. First introduced by Thomas and Znaniecki, the authors posited that behavior is a product of situation and environment. Attitudes are formed by acculturation. Communities that are characterized by negligible or non-existent welfare systems, decrepit schools, non-caring governments, and stunted churches may well result in dysfunctional families and a high-level of crime. Healthy and strong communal relationships reinforce positive behavior and reinforcement that has a resounding effect through the community. The reverse leads to dissemination of criminal behavior throughout the neighborhood (Jensen, 2003).

Sutherland elaborated on this by positing that crime is acquired through interaction with others (Sutherland, 1949). In other words, in a world that is comprised of various outlooks, ethnicities, and perspectives, some groups / social environments / subcultures tend to encourage illegal activities whereas others do not. Individuals become delinquent by associating with carriers of these particular norms, particularly transmitted to them via their peer groups. An individual's deviant behavior is acquired within the format of primary groups i.e. family, friends, peers, and their most intimate and personal companions.

The dominant premise of Social disorganization theory is that a person is more likely to become a criminal when he associates with more members of his group who favor deviance, than with members of a group who practice societal norms (Pfohl, 1994)

(2) Compare and contrast the strain theory and the social disorganization theory.

Both stress the importance of environment with the strain theory suggesting that the particular society may be too constricting and disallow the individual from meeting his needs (positive element ) or making him unable to accomplish his goals in the normal way, therefore impelling him to revert to crime in order to do so (negative element). Social disorganization theory states that environment matters as much or more than the individual's characteristics such as age, gender, race etc. In attracting one to crime.