Connecting Theory
This section will connect sociological perspectives to concepts and terminology surrounding Crime and Criminal Justice. For theory, it is helpful to know the first established theories and compare/contrast them to different theories in your textbook. Symbolic interactionism, a micro-perspective theory, and conflict theory, a macro-perspective theory, are both discussed and are core theories utilized across all disciplines of sociological research. We also include more crime-specific theories, such as the social disorganization theory and labeling theory.
Symbolic Interactionism Theory
Symbolic interactionism states that behavior and norms are learned through individual experience and are subject to change over time. Crime, as a concept, has always existed in the form of actions against the norms of the dominant or central society. The individual acts that consist of u201ccriminal behavioru201d are subject to change as norms change, thus changing the definition of deviant behavior in society. The individual experiences each person has can affect how they understand the larger norms of society to operate and can account for biases being formed toward the nature and normalization of crime and criminal behavior. One example of this includes the change over time to consider interracial/homosexual marriages acceptable and normal, whereas this same behavior decades prior would result in being labeled as u201ccriminal behavioru201d and seen as violating social norms.
Social Disorganization Theory
Social disorganization theory was created by Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay in 1942 after observing Chicagou2019s crime rates between 1900 and 1940. The theory states that weakening social connections and systems within communities results in weaker social norms and socialization, opportunities for deviant behavior, and reshaping of acceptable, normal behavior in society. Social systems that function as guides and strong centers of socialization include the family unit, schools/the education system, religious organizations/institutions, community leadership organizations, and more. These institutions allow people to connect and create an interconnection in communities that help dictate and uphold normal behaviors and ideologies within that community. A combination of weakened/broken social structures and systems within a community can result in a higher likelihood of deviant behavior due to an even larger absence of meaningful socialization within that community.
Labeling Theory
Labeling theory states that the placement of a label upon a person subjects that individual to exist within the confinements of the label and therefore encourages/enacts/entices behavior and ideas in-line with said label. Labeling theory boils down to primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance is where a person takes an action that results in them being placed within a certain label and secondary deviance (a person steals something and then is labeled a thief). Secondary deviance is when behavior and/or actions occur from an individual as a result of a label being placed upon them (a person is told they are aggressive and chaotic, and this label ends up leading to the individual acting aggressively and chaotically to attempt to regain control of the label placed upon them). The change in understanding individual experiences due to the placement of a label, whether positive or negative, and the resulting change in behavior and thoughts are central to labeling theory. In our society today, the US continually labels certain groups of people as highly likely to engage in criminal, deviant behavior. Persons of color (POC) are consistently labeled by media and through social stereotypes as criminal and threats to other groups, which in turn promotes the belief that these groups are, in fact, criminal and deviant rather than understanding these behaviors are individual and not indicative of the entire group as a whole.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory was developed by Karl Marx in the 19th century and states a general understanding that power imbalances in society cause social conflicts and can result in deviant behavior, which is crime. Marxu2019s conflict theory recognizes the existence of two main social class distinctions, the bourgeoisie (the wealthy, mainly business owners and social elite) and the proletariat (the working class, use their labor to make money and spend money for necessities to survive), and places a heavy emphasis on the impacts of race, religion, and ethnicity in the distribution of power within society. In conflict theory, the wealthy are the business owners who fall into a select combination of social, religious, and ethnic/racial categories that place them on top of the remaining individuals who do not meet these specific categories. Using the US as an example, the capitalist nature of the United States economy requires people to make money to survive. This develops a natural divide between the wealthy elite in American society and the working class who occupy blue-collar jobs across the country. This divide can – and has – caused social and political strains between the two groups over ideologies and practices surrounding spending, governance, and other topics in America throughout history.