Criminology theories and applications

Criminology

M3D1: Crime trends and economic condition

If the United States faces an economic downturn, high chances are that the crime rate in the country will increase. If the country faces a double-dip recession, this means that many people will lose their jobs rendering them unemployed. Anomie theory states that when there are discrepancies in the society people are likely to use crime to get money (Maxfield 1999). Anomie theory by Robert Merton shows that people will use un-institutional means to achieve societal goals when they lack the legitimate methods to earn income (Maxfield 1999). If the country faces the recession, people are likely to lose their homes and assets because of increase in debts such as mortgages. A drop in the economy means that the GDP will reduce, therefore, people will not have enough money to sustain their needs. This is the sole reason that will initiate the increase in crime.

The research shows that United States will face a double-dip recession. This means that the country will face an economic downfall that will render people unemployed. In the phase of unemployment, people will lose their source of income. This means that people will not have the means to pay their bills. Many Americans still pay mortgages to pay for their homes. In case of rise in unemployment, people will not be able to pay their mortgages. This will make people to turn to crime to earn money and pay their bills. These bills include mortgages and other house bills such as food and clothing.

The strain theory states that people will resort to crime if they have difficulty in meeting societal goals through approved means (Rafter 1990). If the United States economy will suffer the double-dip economy, then people will lose their jobs. It is probable that they will resort to crime to meet their needs since they have lost the only approved means of meeting their societal goals- their jobs. The Marxist criminology states that changes in the society may make people get involved in crime. A change in structural and social environment in the society makes people change their behavior (Bernard 2010). In the case of United States, the recession might change the structure of the society in economic terms. This may make people involve themselves in crime.

M3D2: Applying social disorganization theories

Sampton, Raundenbush, and Earls explain the rate of crime rate in Chicago because of lack of social control by the people. Without social control, people will have social disorder thus contributing to the high rate of criminal behavior. Sampton, Raundenbush, and Earls state that people should practice collective efficacy. Collective efficacy are the methods in which will help people to prevent crime in the neighbourhoods. Social control regulates the behaviour of people, preventing them from committing a crime. The high level of homicide in Chicago is a result of lack of social control. Population heterogeneity also contributes to the high level of homicide in the neighbourhoods (Rafter 1990). The two theories complement each other in that they both support the idea behind the high levels of homicide in Chicago. Social disorder brings disunity in society, and this makes people commit criminal behaviours.

Social learning theory states that people will develop the motivation to commit crime if they associate with people who commit crime. Social control will enable people to practise social order and help them from associating with criminals who might influence them negatively. It is crucial for people to have self-control in order for them to refrain from committing criminal behaviours. Factors such as lack of self-control make people engage in criminal behaviour to achieve institutional goals. These institutional goals include earning money and making a good life for them and their families. Sampton, Raundenbush, and Earls state that factors such as race ca make people engage in criminal behaviours. Race is a sensitive issue that makes the discriminated race to take actions that will make them succeed in the contemporary society. Racial discrimination makes capable people not able to provide for themselves and their families.

Another version would be that the high level of homicide in Chicago compared to collective efficacy is because of population heterogeneity. Poor economic conditions and residential instability hinder community cohesion (Maxfield, 1999). This happens because social networks in the community weaken and people decline to exercise social control. This explains the high level of homicide because neighbourhoods in Chicago have no cohesion.