Chapter 7

Crime and Deviance

Chapter Outline

Ordinary Crime The Criminal Act Biological Theories of Deviance Mental Illness Personality Theories Elements of Self-Control Deviant Attachment Theories

Chapter Outline

Structural Strain Theories White-Collar Crime Control Theories Anomie and the Integration of Societies Climate and Season The Labeling Approach to Deviance Drugs and Crime

Criminal Acts

The majority of criminal acts: Lack planning Are performed incompetently Result in trivial gains

Robbery

In 2000 there were 407,842 robberies reported in the U.S. for a rate of 144.9 per 100,000.

Recent data shows that the average robbery of a service station produced only $546.

91% of those arrested for robbery were males under the age of 25.

Burglary

In 2000 there were slightly more than 2 million burglaries reported, a rate of 728.4 per 100,000.

Average loss of residential burglaries was $1,299.

About half of all burglaries are reported to the police.

Homicide

In 2000, 15,517 Americans were murdered for a rate of 5.5 per 100,000, the lowest in more than thirty years.

In 1965, most victims knew their killer and 91% of homicides were closed by arrest.

During the 1990s the average victim was killed by a stranger.

In 2000 only 63.1% of homicides resulted in an arrest.

Lombroso’s Theory: “Born Criminals”

In the 1870’s, Cesare Lombroso gathered data on inmates to develop a biological theory of criminal behavior.

Lombroso considered born criminals as less evolved humans, biological “throwbacks” to our primitive ancestors.

He believed that born criminals could not restrain their violent and animalistic urges.

Behavioral Genetics

Study of the role of heredity in human behavior.

A study in Denmark examined 3,586 twin pairs.– Identical twins - if one twin had a serious criminal

record, odds were 50-50, the other twin did, too. – Fraternal twins - if one twin was a criminal, the

odds were only 1 in 5 that the other twin also was a criminal.

% Female Among Those Arrested for Various Offenses (U.S.)

Offense Percent female

Robbery 10.0

Homicide 12.5

Burglary 12.5

Motor vehicle theft 15.7

Aggravated assault 19.6

Larceny-theft 34.7

Forgery 38.9

Fraud 45.8

Embezzlement 48.8

Runaways 58.2

Arrests Per 100,000 Male Population (U.S.)Age Homicide Robbery Larceny-theft

16–19 47 408 2,532

20–24 39 299 1,441

25–29 24 204 1,075

30–34 17 129 903

35–39 13 74 712

40–44 10 36 471

45–49 7 19 306

50–54 5 9 209

55–59 4 5 145

60–64 3 2 109

65 and over 1 1 63

Gottfredson and Hirschi: Elements Of Self-control

Low self-control involves the unwillingness or inability to defer gratification.

People with low self-control prefer actions that are simple and easy.

People who commit criminal acts are thrill seekers, also consistent with weak self control.

People with a lack of self-control tend to be self-centered, indifferent, or insensitive to the suffering and needs of others.

Differential Association Theory: Social Learning

All behavior is the result of socialization through interaction.

How we act depends on how those around us want us to act.

How much we deviate from or conform to the norms depends on differences in whom we associate with.

Merton: Structural Strain Theory

People are socialized to have certain goals and to regard certain means as proper ways to achieve these goals.

People who are disadvantaged will not be able to achieve their goals at all, or as easily as people better placed in the system.

Merton: Structural Strain Theory

If disadvantaged people stick to the rules they will not achieve the things socialization has taught them to value.

The resulting strain forces people to use deviant or illegitimate means to achieve goals.

Weaknesses of Structural Strain Theory

1. The majority of disadvantaged people do not commit acts of significant deviance.

2. Most of the deviant behavior committed by persons under structural strain cannot alleviate their frustrations.

3. No explanation for deviant acts committed by people in privileged social positions.

White-collar Crime

Crimes committed by someone with responsibility and high social status in the course of their occupation.

Example: A person in a position of power or authority who accepts bribes to perform his or her duties.

Control Theories

Replaces the question: Why do they do it? with Why don’t they do it?

Control theorists take deviance for granted and focus on explaining why people conform.

When social bonds between an individual and the group are strong, the individual conforms, when they are weak, the individual deviates.

Types of Social Bonds

Attachments - How much one cares about others and is cared about in return.

Investments - Costs expended in constructing a satisfactory life and the expected rewards.

Types of Social Bonds

Involvements - The more time one spends on activities that conform to the norms, the less time one has to devote to deviant activities.

Beliefs -We develop beliefs about how people, including ourselves, should behave.

Durkheim’s Moral Communities

Two components: Social integration - The number and

intimacy of attachments enjoyed by the average person.

Moral integration. – Shared beliefs that provide members of a community with a common moral conception.

Labeling Theory

Most deviance results from some persons having been labeled as deviants.

Primary deviance is the behavior a person engages in that causes others to label him or her as deviant.

Secondary deviance is behavior that is a reaction to having been labeled a deviant.

Liska: Three Ways Labels Cause People to Deviate

1. A deviant label, such as burglar, alcoholic, or prostitute, limits legitimate economic and occupational opportunities.

2. A deviant label limits a person’s interpersonal relations.

3. Being labeled a deviant can affect self concept. (If others see us as deviants, we may come to accept their judgments.)

Percent of Arrestees Who Tested Positively for Drugs

Percent Positive

City Females Males

Manhattan 84 69

San Diego 74 74

Washington, D.C. 70 59

Los Angeles 70 60

Fort Lauderdale 63 60

Houston 58 62

Birmingham 54 61

New Orleans 44 62

St. Louis 38 57