02A-CRIM02-WK1-LESSON PROPER

Genetics- genetics explain the causes of crime. In family studies focus on the criminal history
and background of families it was found out that families with criminal backgrounds, are said to
be more likely to produced children with criminal tendencies also, almost as though crime is a
gene carried through generations.
Characteristics and traits of a person can be inherited through genes and it is
argued that criminal behavior may be an inheritable, polygenic trait much like eye color, height
and skin tone etc.

Researchers
1. Family Studies
Researchers: Osborne and West (1982)
2. Adoption Studies
Researchers: Hutchings AND Mednick (197)
3. Twin studies
Researchers: studies of twins and the link to criminality.

2. Sociological Theories
The sociological approach theorizes that crime is shaped by the factor external to the
individual: the experiences within the neighborhood, the peer group, and the family. It means
that society “construct” criminality. It attempts to connect the issue of the individual’s
criminality with the broader social structures and cultural values of society, familial, or peer
group.
It suggests that crime is caused by anomie, or the dissociation of the individual from
the collective conscience; by the social disorganization; by anomie resulting from a lack of
opportunity to achieve aspirations; by the learning of criminal values and behaviors; and by the
failure to properly socialize individuals.

This theory suggest that explanations of criminal behavior lie outsides the
individual. It is attributed on the criminogenic conditions.

What are the major sociological theories?

1. Social Disorganization Theory?
 02A-CRIM02-WK1-LESSON PROPER

Social disorganization refers to the breakdown in traditional social control

and organization in the society, community, neighborhood, or family so that deviant and
criminal activity result. It states a person’s physical and social environments are primarily
responsible for the behavior choices that a person makes. At the core of social
disorganization theory, is that location matter when it comes to predicting to illegal
activity. It is most often applied to urban crime. It simply focuses in the immediate social
environment, like the family, peer group, and school.

This is a macro theory looking across different communities or

neighborhoods because it focused on the larger social environment, especially the
community and the total society. It attempts to explain why some groups – like
communities and societies – have higher crime rates than other groups.

It seeks to explain community differences in crime rates by identifying the

characteristics of communities with high crime and rates and draws on social controls
theory to explain why these characteristics contribute to crime.

Characteristics of communities where crime is more likely to happen:

1. Economically deprived
2. Large in size
3. High in multiunit housing like apartments
4. High in residential mobility (people frequently move into and out of the
community)
5. High in family disruption (high rates of divorce, single parent families)
Proponents: Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay