A Comparative Analysis of Sociological Theories on Crime Causation

This report delves into sociological theories of crime causation, focusing on social learning theory, control theory, and strain theory. Social learning theory, as proposed by Akers, suggests that individuals learn criminal behavior through observation and imitation, particularly in environments where such behaviors are normalized. Control theory, on the other hand, posits that individuals engage in criminal activities when their internal and external controls are weakened, leading to a deviation from societal norms. Furthermore, the report explores the strain theory, highlighting how societal pressures and the inability to achieve goals through conventional means can lead individuals to commit crimes. The report references key scholars and resources, providing a comprehensive overview of these influential theories in criminology.

Brief scenario

Table of Contents
Theories to define the causation of crime........................................................................................1
Social learning theory.................................................................................................................1
Control theory.............................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

Theories to define the causation of crime
Sociological theories help in assessing crime in terms of social environment which may
include the crime that is committed in family, peers, workplace, community etc. There are two
important sociological theories that helps in assessing crime and delinquency which are
mentioned below:
Social learning theory
The theory was derived by Ronald Akers who stated that a juvenile gets involved in
crime because of their learning and belief that the activity they are conducting is right and not an
offence. The teaching plays an important role in this case as they get attracted towards the act
and further involve in committing it (Akers, 2013). There are three mechanism of this theory:
 Teachings others to involve in crime
 Belief that committing a crime is not offence
 Imitating any other person who himself is a criminal (Crime Causation: Sociological
Theories, 2016).
Hence, a juvenile who stole a bike may be involved in one of the above mentioned
mechanisms.
Control theory
This theory states that some people are pushed into criminal activities without their will.
The offence may also be conducted in order to satisfy their needs and desires. The level of
control of every individual may be different which decides that whether the person will get
involved in crime or not (Sampson, 2013). The control may be directly made by the parents or
guardian in order to restraint the crime to happen. Yet the person can become deviant if any
external force is applied on him.
Hence, the person who got involved in theft of bike may want to fulfil his desire which
forced him to commit that crime.
Strain theory
Most people have similar aspirations, but they do not all have the same abilities and
opportunities. When people are fail to get society expectations through approved means like hard
working, delayed gratification etc. they may be attempt to get success through crime. Some
people are not able to get desired goal so that they attempt crime to get success in the world.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Akers, R. L., 2013. Criminological theories: Introduction and evaluation. Routledge.
Sampson, R. J., 2013. The place of context: a theory and strategy for criminology's hard
problems. Criminology. 51(1). pp.1-31.
Online
Crime Causation: Sociological Theories. 2016. [Online]. Available through
<http://www.encyclopedia.com/law/legal-and-political-magazines/crime-causation-
sociological-theories>. [Accessed on 25th October 2017].
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