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Words: 3,330 | Submitted: Mon Apr 21 2008
... that account for the causes of criminality and criminalisation. The psychological approach concentrates on the individual as the foundation of criminality. Sociological theories of crime reject individualistic explanations of crime and emphasise the social and cultural context of criminal behaviour Giddens (2003: 207). Sociological theories which help to understanding criminal behaviour include: Anomie theory, strain theory, control theory, sub-cultural theory, deviance theory, social ecology labelling theory, social learning theory, routine activities theory, rational choice theory and Feminist theories. Emile Durkheim (1933, 1970) had an impact on sociological criminology in that he assessed that societies were held together by solidarity and shared aims. Society members had also become inter-reliant. Durkheim felt that the predictability of crime rates meant that they are social facts and therefore 'normal'. The increases of crime occur when societies evolve and grow into more complex forms of organisations thus producing a state of anomie. He believed crime and punishment ...
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