MODERN CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION

A. RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

This theory is also known as Choice Theory or Rational Action Theory. The origin of

this theory is anchored in classical theory. Freewill doctrine, psychological hedonism

and utilitarian principle is applied in this theory. An individual uses rational calculations

to make rational choices. The decision of an individual in committing crime is depended

on the outcome that will serve his best self-interest. Hence, rational choice theory

explained that crime will happen after an individual weighed the benefits of the crime

and the risk of being detected or apprehended. If the gain of committing the crime will

outweigh the chances of being caught then crime happen as a result.

B. DETERRENCE THEORY

The origin of this theory can be traced in the Classical thinkers such as Thomas

Hobbes, Jeremy Bentham and Cesare Beccaria. This theory together with the classical

doctrine challenge the legal policies throughout European thought more than a thousand

years against the spiritual explanations of crime. Thomas Hobbes, as one of the

proponents of “Social Contract” provided the foundation for modern deterrence theory in

criminology. Deterrence theory uses punishment to prevent and control crime. Thus,

there are two forms of deterrence;

General Deterrence- is designed to prevent crime in the general population. Thus,

the state’s punishment of offenders serves as an example for others in the general

population who have not yet participated in criminal events.

Specific Deterrence- is designed by the nature of the proscribed sanctions to deter

only the individual offender from committing that crime in the future. It also believes that

punishing offenders severely will make them unwilling to reoffend in the future.

C. INDIVIDUAL TRAIT THEORY

This theory is also known as Physical Aberration Theory. The trait theory in

criminology originated from positivist theory. This theory states that certain personality

traits can be predisposing an individual criminal propensity. Physical defects or aberration

caused an individual to commit crime. Thus, it defined as habitual patterns of behavior,

thought, and emotion. Extraversion and Introversion are common dimensions in this

theory.

D. BIOCHEMICAL THEORY

This theory of crime causation anchored its study in the biological perspectives of

crime causation. This theory believes that the food and drug intakes of a person will

influence his behavior to commit crimes. The explanation of crime under this theory

involves, body’s hormones, food and drug intakes

E. BIOSOCIAL THEORY

This theory explain crime as a result of their examination of the combined effects of

biology, behavior and environment on criminal behavior. It asserts that criminal behavior

is a product of both environmental and biological factors. There is where the genetic

attributes explore both nature and nurture influence behavior.

F. SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION THEORY

This theory is one of the theories under social structure perspective in the study of

crime. This can be trace on the word of two urban sociologist Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay, in which
they examined the distribution of delinquency among various groups in

Chicago. This is sometimes called Concentric Zone Theory.

G. STRAIN THEORY

This theory is popularized by Robert King Merton. According to him, there are five

modes of adaptation that a certain individual will adapt the moment an individual

confronted with problems that causes strain. Frustration due to the blocking of goals is

the main reason why people feel pressure and most of common goal is economic

reason.

H. GENERAL STRAIN THEORY (Frustration, Anger and Hatred)

This theory believed that aside from frustration due to economic reason, there are

other factors that cause strain that pushes an individual to commit crime. Thus, the core

concept of this theory is focus on frustration, anger and hatred as the cause of crime.

I. CULTURAL DEVIANCE THEORY (Mainstream Society VS the Lower Class)

This theory is a combination of both Strain and Social Disorganization theories. It

explains how people living in slum neighborhoods react to isolation from the rest of

society and economic deprivation. Thus, the norms implemented by the middle class to

the mainstream society is in conflict to the peculiar sets of norms of the lower class.

J.

SUBCULTURE THEORY (Middle Class Youth VS Lower Class Youth)

A theory introduced by Albert Cohen that focuses on gangs. This theory holds that

certain groups or subcultures in society have values and attitudes that are unique to

them and serves as an avenue for crime and violence.

K. CONTROL THEORY

It is a theory that focuses on explaining why people follow rules instead of breaking

them. It focuses in techniques and strategies on how to regulate the behavior and lead

them to conform and obey the rules in the society.

L. SOCIAL BOND THEORY

It is a theory under control theories. This theory was introduced by Travis Hirschi in

1969. According to him, individual bond that focuses upon a person’s relationships to

their agent of socialization, such as parents, teachers, preachers, coaches, scout

leaders, or police officers will determine criminal behavior. Thus, Hirschi able to identify

four (4) elements that will strengthen the individual’s bond namely;

1. Attachment- your relationship with other people and having the feeling of

belongingness.

2. Commitment- doing what is right even if nobody is watching you or simply following

rules.

3. Involvement- refers to your participation in different group or organization or different

peoples.

4. Belief- refers to your basic value system.

M. CONTAINMENT THEORY (Self- Insulation)

This theory is one of the control theories introduced by Walter Reckless. The core

concept of this theory is that by insulating yourself using containment you will be keep

away from crime.

N. SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY (Modeled Behavior)

A theory developed by Ronald Akers and Robert Burgess that explains deviant

behavior by combining variables which encouraged crime and delinquency (Example:

Social Pressure from delinquent peers) with variable that discouraged delinquency

(Example: Parental response to discovering delinquency in their children).

O. DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY (Learning Criminal Techniques)

A theory advocated by the dean of Modern Criminology Dr. Edwin H. Sutherland. This

theory believes that criminal behavior is learned to through process of communication.

Hence, learning criminal technique is intentional and can be learned both in social and

anti-social way. Thus, crime will happen if the definition of favorable conditions of

violating the law will outweighed the unfavorable conditions of not violating the law.

O. DIFFERENTIAL IDENTIFICATION THEORY (Belonging to a group)

A theory developed by Daniel Glaser in which it holds that a person sees his behavior

that is accepted in a particular group that he then identifies himself as a member of the

group. Therefore, he will be doing what that particular group is doing. Thus, crime will

result as he identifies himself to be part of that group.

P. DIFFERENTIAL REINFORCEMENT THEORY (Rewards and Punishment)

This theory explain crime as a result of our response to a particular behavior. If the

response is in appropriate such behavior will continue and escalate. This theory uses

rewards and punishments to reinforce in a particular behavior.

Q. DIFFERENTIAL OPPORTUNITY THEORY (Goals VS Means)

A theory introduced by Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin that combines learning,

subculture, anomie social disorganization theories and expands them to include the

recognition that for criminal behavior there must also be access to illegitimate means.

R. SOCIAL REACTION THEORY

This theory is commonly known as Labeling Theory. This theory contends that crime is

the result of the response of the significant members of society in a particular behavior

exhibited by a certain individual. Hence, we label the behavior as such. This theory takes

a process or a cycle of delinquency;

1. We put a negative label to a person.

2. The negative label will be accepted by the person.

3. There will be dramatization of evil, and in here the person will commit crime base on

the behavior label to him.

4. There will be a self- fulfilling prophecy once the crime is successful.

S. SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY (The Battle of the have and the have nots)

The theory anchored to Radical perspective in which crime is seen as a reflection of

class struggle, a kind of primitive rebellion with criminals behaving as rebels without a

clue. Under this theory crime is the result of a class struggle in which society is

undergoing a constant battle between the rich and the poor.

T. FEMINIST THEORY

A theory in which has much common with the conflict theory but the focus of this

theory is inequality of gender. Crime is the result of gender biases. Thus, the central

concept is patriarchy or male domination, as the main cause of crime.

U. NEUTRALIZATION THEORY

Also known as Drift theory developed by David Matza and Gresham Sykes. This theory

asserts that criminals and delinquents is not always involved into the life of criminality all

the time.

V. HUMAN ECOLOGY THEORY

This theory by Robert Ezra Park focus in the study of the interrelationship of people and

their environment. The core concept of this theory is environmental change that cause

crime.