Crime and Deviance Theories In-Class Exercise (worth 5%)

Examine the competing theories of crime and deviance advanced by Tanner (2017) addressed
on pages 307-312 in the text. Identify the central claims of each theory and utilize to help
understand why rule-breaking behaviors occur.

1. What are the basic tenets of strain theory? Use to explain at least one of the following
norm violations - deviant acts of academic cheating and performance enhancing drug
usage among athletes, as well as the criminal acts of school shooting rampages,
corporate crime, stealing parcels from people’s front porches or school vandalism - and
attempt to explain their occurrence by using strain theory.
Robert Merton developed the strain theory in 1983 as a sociology and criminology theory. He
claims that society places pressure on individuals to acquire socially acceptable goals such as a
nice home, a nice car, and so on, even if they lack the financial resources to do so. As a result of
these pressures, many turn to crime and deviance in order to fulfill their goals, such as robbery.
Many athletes, for example, have been caught using performance-enhancing medications to help
them win tournaments. This behavior could be motivated by the pressures of sponsors who pay a
lot of money for them to run a single race, or by the pressures of supporters or a country that is
counting on them to win and bring pride home. The enormous amount of award money also adds
to the pressure. As a result of these circumstances, the athlete develops a "win-at-all-costs"
mentality. Such a mindset can erode self-confidence and encourage people to utilize methods or
shortcuts that they know will work, such as performance-enhancing pharmaceuticals in this case.

2. What are the basic tenets of differential association theory? Use to explain at least one
of the following norm violations - deviant acts of academic cheating and performance
enhancing drug usage among athletes, as well as the criminal acts of school shooting
rampages, corporate crime, stealing bikes, selling drugs or school vandalism - and
attempt to explain their occurrence by using differential association theory.

The basic tenets of Differential Association theory is that living in an area that is more exposed
to crime and deviance you are more likely to commit it. And is primarily responsible for deviant
and non deviant behaviour. For example if you were living in a community that has a lot
of violence and drugs, and you were exposed to it a lot you are more likely to commit these
crimes because the people around you are committing them as well. These people are exposed
to "the tricks of the trade” and learn how is the best way to get away with these crimes. Not
only is it just your community that can influence someone to committing crime but also living in
a household that is exposed to violence and drugs may explain why someone is more likely to
commit these crimes. 
 3. What are the basic tenets of control theory? Use to explain at least one of the following
norm violations - deviant acts of academic cheating and performance enhancing drug
usage among athletes, as well as the criminal acts of school shooting rampages,
corporate crime, stealing parcels from people’s front porches or school vandalism - and
attempt to explain their occurrence by using control theory.
Travis Hirschi (1969) pioneered what is known as control theory. Control theory argues that
crime and deviance are likely to occur when internal as well as external controls are weak or
absent. This theory has a solid reputation as a predictor of relatively minor and occasional
deviance involving adolescence. When more serious crime is involved this theory tends to be
less plausible. It should also be noted that low-control presumably originates in early
socialization when parents are too busy or unconcerned to police their children’s behaviour and
unable or unwilling to teach them the difference between right and wrong. This can be seen
through the norm violation of the criminal acts of school shooting rampages. A student who
has weak attachments to friends and family, perhaps doesn’t work in a great environment or
participate in school activities that would allow for them to establish strong connections, is
going to be more likely to engage in a school shooting. Similarly, if the student committing this
crime doesn’t have a strong value/belief system to tie consequences to their actions they will be
more inclined to take the risk of this criminal behaviour.

4. What are the basic tenets of routine activities theory? Use to explain at least one of the
following norm violations - deviant acts of academic cheating and performance
enhancing drug usage among athletes, as well as the criminal acts of school shooting
rampages, corporate crime, stealing parcels from people’s front porches or school
vandalism - and attempt to explain their occurrence by using routine activities theory.
Routine Activity Theory argues that in addition to a motivated offender, criminal events require
a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. They also argue that crime rates vary
not just because of the number of individuals in the population willing and prepared to commit
crime, but also because of the presence or absence of capable guardians, and because of the
daily routines that people follow. People who spend large stretches of time away from home
each day at work and out on the town in the evening and on the weekends report higher levels
of victimization than those who live more home-centered lives. Routine Activity Theories also
suggest that residential property is harder to protect because increased labour force
participation means that fewer homeowners are around during the day to deter burglars. This
can be seen through the example of stealing parcels from people’s front porches. Due to the
increase of time spent at work, most people are not home during the day, leaving many of their
goods or parcels exposed on the porch. This home absence leaves a window of opportunity for
people who are inclined to commit crime or deviant acts such as stealing. 

This theory mostly talks about how there is an easy target, for example an empty house, or a
small, non detectable item that can easily be stolen if wanted to. The theory suggests that in
relation to easy targets individuals, mostly youth, who don’t have good guardianship growing up
tend to be attracted towards crime and deviances. The theory in parts gives an explanation to the
frequencies of crime done, telling’s us how an increase in crime in mostly due to an increase in
people leaving their houses un checked and joining the work force and also the production of
items that are smaller and can be efficiently well hidden.
The reason this theory is different from the other theories that are presented is because it
provides a patter, a patter that seeks to explain why crime happens in the frequency that it does
now days.
It is easier now days to steal someone’s delivery from their front porch, especially since there is
an increase in the number of orders we place now, and due that people tend to order simpler
smaller things, books, dry groceries, etc. the theory is mostly about opportunity and someone
with the lack of good guardianship being around that open opportunity. When these two factors
meet the teenager goes in for the grab. People, during covid, are practising non communication.
So, parcels are kept at the front door mostly now. And when if the person is not at home the
chances that the parcel will be stolen increase, giving rise to opportunity.

5. Briefly discuss the relationship between gender and crime. Read pages 311-312 and jot
down in point form what you learn.