Criminological Theory: Rational Choice Theory And Strain Theory

Chapter 3, pages 65-68 of Cultural Criminology discusses the two approaches to crime dominate orthodox criminological theory: rational choice theory and positivism – the first stressing the mundane, the second the measurable (e.g. Felson, 1998). According to rational choice theory, crime occurs when there is access of opportunity and low levels of social control. Rational rather than emotional attempts are taken to distance crime from social injustices and structural inequalities. Secondly, sociological positivism believes the following are responsible measures for criminal behaviors, lack of work, inequality, lack of social capital, and community breakdown.

According to Marxian Theory, deviance does not come from moral or biological defects

but rather defects from social order. The following are the five conditions that Spitzer discusses in the article: 1) capitalist modes of appropriating the product of human labor, 2) the social conditions under which capitalist production takes place, 3) patterns of distribution and consumption in capitalist society, 4) the process of socialization for productive and non-productive roles, and 5) the ideology which supports the functioning of capitalist society.
According to condition 1) capitalist modes of appropriating the product of human labor.

In other words individuals violate the laws in capitalism. For example, people who have less will steal from the rich/middle class. Intensity of state control will pressure individuals, causing them to give in and try to get ahead. People who lack opportunities for success may be encouraged to deviate, especially the poor who may engage in selling drugs, stealing and other forms of street crime. Robert Merton’s Strain theory seeks to explain the goals and means that an individual has to move up the ladder. Conformists are individuals who comply with rules and choose not to deviate. They follow their goals through socially accepted means. Ritualists are people who lower their goals, they conform instead of attaining their dreams. Innovators are people who commit crimes to get rewards (they do not have the means but have the goals). Retreatists are individuals who reject society’s goals and means. And lastly, rebels are individuals who are trying to change the establishment by their own

means.
Furthermore, condition 2) the social conditions under which capitalist production takes place. That is to say, an individual who has low social status refuses or is unable to produce work labor. For example, people with disabilities are not capable of performing jobs that require certain skills. If there is a larger population there will be less formal control and formal control needs to increase to maintain control. Individuals who refuse to work because they just don’t want to or people on welfare:people deviating from the norm because they are not contributing to society.
Thirdly, condition 3) patterns of distribution and consumption in capitalist society. That is to say, individuals are frustrated because they cannot move up the ladder the way they wished because they lack the resources. Some may commit deviant actions like using drugs the wrong way to escape their situations. Individuals in higher positions have the power to make laws. Durkheim’s Functionalist perspective states that deviance is important to society because it provides social change by providing new ideas and challenges and it also provides boundary maintence between good and bad behavior.
Fourthly, condition 4) the process of socialization for productive and non-productive roles. To put it another way, the way individuals are socialized can be a major impact when they reject roles and responsibilities in society. Individuals become delinquent by association with people where criminal behavior is the norm. For example, when kids refuse to go to school they are refusing to do labor. The church and the state have come together in a way to control the people. Cyber access changes our feelings toward certain situations. The media keeps people away from the things their country feels is dangerous for them.
Lastly, condition 5) the ideology which supports the functioning of capitalist society. In other words society promotes the ideals that individuals should follow in order to keep up with capitalism. People will be labeled if they challenge the values followed by society leading to social dynamite.
The twentieth century was characterized by combating social and political inequalities as well as the struggle for equality between men and women.

This phenomenon has been expressed in a social movement that has involved a reflection on the different discourses and actions of the sexes, questioning, among other things, the universality of art and culture and asking about the idea that speeches presented are generally masculine. When men talk about humanity they talk about themselves, while women refer only to their own gender.

The article Feminist Criminology, focuses on the challenges facing our important field as we enter a millennium characterized by a deepening backlash against feminism and other progressive movements and perspectives (Meda). In other words Feminism advocates for social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

According to the feminist school of criminology women, individually or collectively, have complained of their unjust and bitter fate under patriarchy and have claimed a better life. Women suffered many injustices back in the 20th century, for example, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and wife abuse, which were ignored by the criminal justice system. Gender discrimination was also an important factor during this time period: women were not being admitted into law schools, exclusion from juries, and sentenced longer for the same crime committed by a

male.
Overall, the feminist revolution is changing our view of the world, our values and benchmarks in relation to our environment making women visible and giving them a voice. With social movements and perseverance of a few social leaders, women have managed to actively speak out and participate. Women have equaled men in their conditions and have defended their rights. But despite their achievements they’re still complaining because society is still strongly marked by el machismo.