Topic: Criminology Theories

EQ: Which theory best explains why some people in society commit
crimes?

Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson you should be able to:
● Explain and define the five theories of criminology.
● Compare and contrast the five theories of criminology.
● Use readings in order to obtain information about criminological
theories.
● Evaluate which criminological theory seems most realistic.
 Kickoff
Why is it important to study the causes of crime? What can
we do with the knowledge of why people commit crimes?

- In order to prevent crime.

- In order to treat crime.
- To fix the justice system.

With the knowledge of why people commit crimes, we

can prevent them from happening, we have first to find
out what was the cause of it, and then apply what we
know and try to solve the issue.
 Criminology Theories
Why do people commit crimes?
Throughout history there have been many different attempts to explain why people commit crimes.
Politicians, philosophers, psychologists, clerics and law enforcement have all had their own
theories about the causes of crime.
This lesson will examine the five most important theories of why crimes are committed. You will
learn about, evaluate and then rank each of the theories.
 1. Rational Choice (Classical) Theory of Crime
Step 1 - Predict - Based on the name, what do
you think the Rational Choice Theory says Step 2
about why people commit crimes?
Step 3 - Explain in your own words - according to
Rational Choice Theory, why do people commit
crimes?

I think the Rational Choice Theory says it's

based on nature and revenge as to why
Reading Link
People commit crimes for fun and for the
people commit crimes. It is the fundamental enjoyment of satisfaction, according to the
theory of why people commit crimes based Rational Choice Theory, and they want to
on vengeance, hatred and nature.
experience something. It's easy, and since
it's "rewarding," they do this.

Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794)

 2. Biological Theory of Crime
Step 1 - Predict - Based on the name, what do
you think the Biological Theory says about why Step 2
people commit crimes?
I think the Biological Theory says about
why people commit crimes is that what
Reading Link
position they are in. What really forces
them to commit crimes and what not.
Step 3 - Explain in your own words - according to
the Biological Theory, why do people commit
crimes?
According to the reading the Classical
Biological Theory of crime state that
individuals are "born criminals" who can
not be deterred from committing crimes:
criminals can not learn to restrain
themselves, whether due to psychiatric or
physical disability. Contemporary
biological models, on the other hand,
stress biosocial factors instead of purely
environmental ones.
 3. Social Learning Theory of Crime
Step 1 - Predict - Based on the name,
what do you think the Social Learning
Theory says about why people commit
crimes?
I think the Social Learning Theory
talks about why people commit
crimes with the people surrounding
them, meaning with the people they
talk, hang out.
Step 3 - Explain in your own words -
according to the Social Learning
Theory, why do people commit
Step 2 crimes?
According to the principle of social
Reading Link learning theory, regardless of their
interaction with those who
participate in crime, people engage
in crime. Their criminal behaviour
is strengthened and values that are
conducive to criminality are
learned. Basically, they have crime
models they identify with.
 4. Strain Theory of Crime
Step 1 - Predict - Based on the name, what do
you think Strain Theory says about why people Step 2
commit crimes?
I predict that Strain Theory says about
why people commit crimes and it’s due
Reading Link
to their lack on income, lack of quality
education, drives individuals to commit
crime.
Step 3 - Explain in your own words - according to
Strain Theory, why do people commit crimes?
According to the link, Strain Theory suggests
that criminality arises because there are not
sufficiently valid chances for persons to fulfill
a society's usual performance objectives.
There is a 'strain' between the expectations
and the means to accomplish those objectives
in such a situation, and certain individuals
resort to crime in order to achieve success.
 5. Critical Theory of Crime
Step 1 - Predict - Based on the name, what do
you think Critical Theory says about why Step 2 Step 3 - Explain in your own words - according to
Critical Theory, why do people commit crimes?
people commit crimes?

I predict Critical Theory is when people

commit crimes as a whole society, meaning
Reading Link
it relates to our race, religion, gender.
Critical theory maintains the idea that rules
and the concept of criminality are determined
by a select few, the elite of society; those who
commit crimes disagree with the laws
established to protect control of them.
 Match the Example to the Crime Theory
Crime Example Which theory best explain why
the crime was committed?

Charlie is a single father with five young kids. Charlie works three jobs to take care of his children, but Strain Theory
is often unable to pay the bills. Charlie decides to not report the income from one of his jobs, hoping to
have more cash to spend on his family. The IRS finds out and charges Charlie with tax evasion.

Frank is an activist with Black Lives Matters who believes that the police are rarely held accountable, Critical Theory
and that video of their actions is necessary to protect innocent people. During a protest, Frank films a
black man being brutally arrested. The police, unhappy that their actions were caught on film, arrest
Frank as well and charge him with obstruction of justice.

Deandra is in a car accident and suffers a brain injury that prevents her from being able to experience Biological Theory
empathy. Over the next few years, Deanrea is charged with assaulting several other individuals.

Mac grew up in the world of drugs. Ever since he was a kid, Mac saw his father and uncle selling Social Learning Theory
drugs. His brother passed away due to a drug overdose. Just after turning 18, Mac is arrested and
charged with selling drugs.

Dennis is a Wall Street banker who commits the crime of insider trading by giving illegal tips about Rational Choice Theory
stocks to friends. The banker knows he will make a lot of money and is unlikely to get caught.
Reflection - Rank the Theories

Based off what you have learned so far, rank the 5 theories of why people
commit crimes from best to worst theory. The best theory is the one you
believe is most likely to be true. Then explain why.

1. Social Learning Theory

2. Biological Theory
3. Strain Theory
4. Critical Theory
5. Rational Choice Theory

Why?
I said why Social Learning Theory is the top one because children from young
age learn new things from their elders, meaning father, brothers, friends,
relative and so on, so this theory explains well enough why they commit and
how to prevent. And I said rational choice theory is the worst one cause it’s a
regular thing that bankers do, so no need to explain it.