Theoretical Integration-Fuller Explanation Of Crime

INTRODUCTION

In an attempt to produce a hypothesis that can supply a fuller explanation of crime, and principally, to develop a universal theory of criminal behaviour, criminologists have focused on theoretical integration: a compounding of two or more theories to shape a new theory with the presumption that the resulting theory will be superior to any individual theories standing alone. According to Hunter and Dantzker (2012:167) no one theory is adequate enough to explain all crime and it is for this reason that criminologists prefer approaching the study of crime and criminality from various perspectives.

Theoretical integration is possible by examining the distinct aspects of various theories in an effort to reach an expansive explanation

DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

2.1 Integrated control theory

Einstadter and Henry (2006:316) highlight the concept integrated theory as one which involves finding theories which have similar meanings and merging them into one common theme. They go onto emphasizing the definition of theoretical integration as “the combination of two or more pre-existing theories, selected on the basis of their perceived commonalities, into a single reformulated theoretical model with greater comprehensiveness and explanatory value than any one of its component theories” (Einstadter & Henry, 2006:310).

2.2 Control balance theory

Charles Tittle put forward an integrated control theory: control balance theory is an innovative approach which maintains that people are not only objects of control but also agents of control (Tittle, 1995:143; 2004:396). In his control theory of crime and deviance, Tittle argued that each person has a certain amount of control that he is under and a certain amount of control that he exerts (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2007:114).

Control balance theory suggests that deviance is likely either when people are much more controlled than controlling or when they are much more controlling than controlled. According to this theory, deviance is defined as any activity which the majority find unacceptable or would disapprove of (Williams,

The deviance-causing process in general strain theory is also integrated in to control balance theory where it is contended that provocation in the face of a control imbalance produces feelings of humiliation and motivation for deviance (Tittle, 2004:422). Control balance theory is, therefore, seen as going beyond it by specifying that motivation leads to some form of deviance, despite various conditions which attempt to generate predictions about specific forms of deviance which are likely to be