NCJ Number
75526
Date Published
1967
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report evaluates major approaches regarding the causation of crime and delinquency on the basis of several criteria commonly used by criminologists to assess their own theories.
Abstract
An introductory statement expresses the author's opinions on trends in criminology, such as an overemphasis on delinquency, lack of research on female crime, and inadequate theories on enforcement and corrections. Then, criteria for evaluating crime causation theories are outlined, beginning with logical structure, appropriate definitions, general versus specific focus, verifiability, and distinctions between crime and deviance. The most common criterion for evaluating theories has been based on ability to explain major facts, such as crime rates, cycles, and victims' characteristics. Other standards include relationships between crime and delinquency, predictive tests, the impact of the criminal justice system, and practical applications of theoretical concepts. The following theories of causation are then summarized and evaluated using these criteria: Sutherland's theory of differential causation, which contends that criminal behavior is learned from the social environment; Cohen's interpretation of delinquent subcultures as frustrated reactions to middle class values; opportunity theory postulated by Cloward and Ohlin, which also concerns criminal subcultures; Miller's explanation of delinquency as normal behavior by lower class standards; psychoanalytic theory that emphasizes early childhood development and family relationships; probabilistic cognitive process theories, which attempt to explain crime in terms of self-image, stigmatization, or situational determinants; adolescent striving approaches, which view delinquency as a normal phase in the transition between childhood and adulthood; and delinquency prediction, which is based on analysis of family relationships. A final discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of these theories concludes that all have problems. However, Cloward and Ohlin's opportunity structure approach is recommended as having the greatest promise because it ties social structure to behavior, leaves room for other theoretical elements, has received some verification, and can be expanded to include middle class delinquency and adult crime. Major areas which States and the Government should consider for a criminal research program are information systems, program evaluations, and program models. A bibliography of 173 citations is included.