CRIME, DELINQUENCY AND DEVIANCE
Crime has been
defined as a violation of the rules and regulations of a given culture or
country. It is an intentional act or omission committed without defence or excuse
and penalized by the state. Delinquency is
a criminal behavior which young people tend to engage in while Deviance can be defined as non-
conformity to a given norm or a set of norms which are accepted by a
significant number of people in a society.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE / CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
1. Biological Theory: The leading figures of this theory were Paul
Broca (a French anthropologist) and Cesare Lombroso (1836- 1909) an Italian
criminologist. It claims that certain people are born with deviant and criminal
tendencies. It believes that deviants / criminal types could be identified by
the shape of the skull.2. Psycho dynamic Theory: This is traceable to Sigmund Freud. It states that deviance / criminality can result from the interaction of the three mini – personalities in an individual. Thus, if “Id” influences predominate in an individual, psychopathology including multi – dimensional crimes can result. Equally, if the “Ego” and “Superego“ fail to develop early and greatly, there will be conflict between the rational component and the morality component of an individual which tend to result in crime and criminal behavior.
3. Sociological Theory: These seek to associate deviance / criminal behavior with social contexts. Prominent among these are.
(a) Differential Association Theory: It was led
by Edwin Sutherland, an American sociologist. It holds that deviance / criminal
behavior is a learned trait. An individual learn deviant / criminal behavior in
the course of his association with others who are carriers of deviant /
criminal norms.
(b) Anomie Theory: A pre – eminent personality of
this was Robert Merton. It argues that people resort to deviance / criminal
behavior when they find it increasingly difficult to achieve socially desirable
goals through societal approve means.
(c) Rational Choice Theory: It assumes
that an individual does not just get pushed into deviant / criminal activities
or behaviors but actively chooses to engage in them. He thinks the risk is
worth taking. He sees them to be advantageous.
(d) Class Conflict Theory: It views
deviance / crime as a protest against an oppressive, exploitative society. It
sees laws and the police as tools for
the protection of the priviledged members of the society.
FACTORS INFLUENCING
DEVIANCE / CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
2. Anomie: This is a state of normlessness in which a society and its members are thrown into utter confusion. This tends to instigate an individual to deviant / criminal behaviors.
3. Alienation: This is a state of detachment in which an individual is cut off from the rest of the society. He might take solace in marijuana, narciotics etc.
4. Role Conflict: certain unbearable pressures are exerted on some individuals who play multiple roles in the society. They might engage in certain deviant / criminal acts.
5. Influence of Group: An individual might be lured into deviant / criminal behaviors by friends, club members etc.
6. Defence Mechanism: An individual might engage in some deviant / criminal behaviors as a means of self- defence or self – preservation.
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