Three Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Criminal Behavior
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.
- Introduction to Sociological Perspectives on Crime: Overview of three perspectives on criminal behavior
- Individual Responsibility Perspective: The HSBC Case: HSBC money laundering as individual criminal choice
- Social Problems Perspective: The Todd Hannigan Case: Social and psychological factors driving narcotics conviction
- Integrated Perspective: Miller v. Alabama: Juvenile sentencing analyzed through multiple theories
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What makes this paper effective
- Each theoretical perspective is immediately grounded in a concrete, real-world case, making abstract sociological concepts accessible and memorable.
- The paper maintains a clear parallel structure: define the perspective, present the case, apply the theory — giving readers a consistent framework for comparison.
- The use of direct quotations from judicial proceedings and news sources adds credibility and texture to the analysis.
Key academic technique demonstrated
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.
Structure breakdown
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.
Introduction to Sociological Perspectives on Crime
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.
Individual Responsibility Perspective: The HSBC Case
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.
References
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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