This paper examines three major sociological perspectives on crime as identified by Schmalleger: the Individual Responsibility Perspective, the Social Problems Perspective, and the Integrated Perspective. Each perspective is illustrated through a real-world criminal case. The HSBC money-laundering settlement exemplifies individual choice in criminal behavior; the case of Todd Hannigan demonstrates how social problems such as poverty and mental illness can drive criminal activity; and the Supreme Court case Miller v. Alabama illustrates the Integrated Perspective by drawing on Choice Theory, Conflict Theory, and Life Course Theory to explain a juvenile offender's actions and sentencing. Together, these cases highlight the complexity of understanding crime through multiple theoretical lenses.
The paper demonstrates applied theoretical analysis — the ability to take established sociological frameworks and map them onto specific factual scenarios. Rather than merely describing each perspective in the abstract, the author tests each one against a real case, showing how theory functions as an interpretive tool. The Integrated Perspective section is especially strong in this regard, layering three separate theories (Choice, Conflict, and Life Course) onto a single case to show how multiple frameworks can coexist.
The paper opens with a brief introduction identifying the three perspectives and their source. It then proceeds in three body sections, one per perspective, each following the same define-illustrate-analyze pattern. The conclusion is embedded within the final body section rather than appearing as a separate paragraph. This compact, well-organized structure suits the scope of the assignment and makes the argument easy to follow.
For decades, sociologists have debated the causes of crime and criminal behavior, producing three major sociological perspectives on the subject. As identified by Schmalleger, these are the Individual Responsibility Perspective, the Social Problems Perspective, and the Integrated Perspective. A discussion of current criminal activity can readily identify cases in which each of these perspectives applies.
The Individual Responsibility Perspective defines criminal behavior as the result of individual personal choices. According to Schmalleger, this perspective holds that individuals are ultimately responsible for their own behavior and that some people choose to engage in criminal activity rather than follow the law.
HSBC is Europe's third-largest bank, and in 2013 it agreed to pay a $1.9 billion fine "to resolve charges it enabled Latin American drug cartels to launder billions of dollars…" (Smythe, 2013). CEO Stuart Gulliver and Chairman Douglas Flint were accused of failing to monitor wire transfers in excess of $650 billion and nearly $10 billion in U.S. currency purchases. It could be argued that these individuals personally chose to engage in criminal behavior because they stood to benefit financially. In exchange for a deferred prosecution agreement, the bank agreed to pay the fines and enact specific reforms to bring itself into compliance with the law.
The second perspective is the Social Problems Perspective, which Schmalleger defines as criminal behavior resulting from social problems such as poverty, discrimination, substance abuse, and inequality. In 2010, a troubled man named Todd Hannigan was convicted of trafficking narcotics and sentenced to 15 years in prison. His case, however, illustrates how the Social Problems Perspective can explain criminal conduct.
Hannigan had a number of minor prior convictions involving theft, robbery, and burglary, and he suffered from both social and psychological problems. While attempting to commit suicide by overdosing on hydrocodone, he was arrested before he could ingest a lethal dose. Because he still had 31 remaining pills in his possession, he was charged with trafficking narcotics. Florida law then required the judge to impose a mandatory 15-year sentence. The judge himself stated, "I do believe this is an inappropriate sentence for you. I really believe that. But there are restraints placed on my ability to stray from the statutory framework for sentencing…" ("Todd Hannigan").
Smythe, C. (2013, July 3). HSBC judge approves $1.9B drug-money laundering accord. Bloomberg.com.
Miller v. Alabama, 2011. The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. Retrieved from http://www.oyez.org/cases/2010-2019/2011/2011_10_9646
"Todd Hannigan." FAMM. Retrieved from
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