This paper examines the Blaster interview through the lens of criminological theory, identifying Social Learning Theory and Anomie Theory as the primary frameworks that explain the subject's entry into drug dealing. The author traces how the young man learned criminal behavior through exposure to older peers and pursued the American Dream through illegal means when legal avenues appeared insufficient. The analysis demonstrates how these theories' core concepts—differential association, reinforcement, and societal goal-strain—apply to the case, while also evaluating why other theories, such as Lombroso's Positivist Theory, do not fit.
When reading the article "Blaster," several theories of crime become apparent. Within the first couple of pages, two theories clearly relate to this young individual's situation. The first theory that applies most to his circumstances is Social Learning Theory, which posits that criminal behavior is learned rather than innate. The second is Anomie Theory, which explains crime as a response to the gap between societal goals and available legitimate means to achieve them. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive explanation for the subject's entry into drug dealing.
Social Learning Theory is evident throughout the Blaster interview. The young man states that he first started selling drugs at approximately nine years of age, having learned this behavior from older peers in his community. He explains: "And the older ones was around three or four years older, and we saw them doing it. I started holding for 'em." By "holding" for these older dealers, he earned easy money and quickly became attracted to the income potential, which motivated him to engage in independent drug selling as he matured.
This theory operates through four major concepts that all apply to this case. Differential association describes his exposure to drug dealing through older peers. DefinitionsDifferential reinforcement operated because he was not caught and faced no immediate legal consequences. Finally, imitation occurred when he replicated the behavior of the older individuals who first involved him in the enterprise. Each component of the theory maps directly onto his path into criminal activity.
Anomie Theory offers another crucial explanatory layer. This theory posits that society places a goal on everyone's lives: achieving the American Dream, defined as material success through the conventional markers of wealth, status, and consumption (nice car, nice house, family, money). The problem arises when obstacles prevent people from reaching this goal through legitimate means. When faced with structural barriers, individuals may turn to crime to achieve those culturally emphasized goals.
The Blaster interview demonstrates this pattern clearly. When asked what he does with the large amounts of money from drug sales, he responds: "stackin and stackin," referring to saving money. He then articulates desires to buy a nice car and nice clothes—classic components of the American Dream. Because legitimate work, particularly at minimum wage, appears insufficient to achieve these goals, he pursues them illegally through drug dealing. The gap between societal aspirations and available legitimate opportunities creates the motivation for his criminal behavior.
One theory that does not apply to this situation is Lombroso's Positivist Theory. This approach suggests that criminals possess similar biological features distinguishing them from law-abiding citizens, including large jaws, prominent cheekbones, sparse beards, and distinctive facial features. In the Blaster case, the subject is described as tall, skinny, and athletic—possessing a basketball player's physique. No biological markers align with Lombroso's predictions, demonstrating that this biological determinism fails to explain his criminal behavior.
"Why biological determinism fails to explain this case"
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