Psychology Critical Analysis Social Structure and Urban Crime

Psychology: Critical Analysis (Social Structure and Urban Crime) By Zach Elmore

The Issue • According to the National Crime Records Bureau, urban crime can be defined as any type of crime that is committed in areas that are described or perceived as urban areas • Urban area - the region surrounding a city, with a high population density. These areas are very developed, meaning there is a density of human structures such as houses, commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and railways • This issue is important to me because of the career in sociology and psychology that I am pursuing and the ability to understand why this problem happens in society

Questions About the Topic • Why are there connotative ties of crime and urban areas? • What social constructs allow for crime to flourish and continue to grow? • What can be done to break the “cycle” of urban crime? • How does this idea affect the ties between law enforcement and the community?

Operational Definition • How does societal structure relate to the notion of urban crime?

Perspectives • Many of the social factors of urban areas negatively affect the crime and rates of crime (Social Structure/Social Disorganization) • The people who commit crimes are not given much of a choice whether to commit a crime or not, which makes the idea of crime almost unpreventable (Rational Choice Theory)

Social Structures of Urban Areas Affect Crime • Social Structure Theory is the idea that social problems are the fundamental causes of crime in the area • Social Structure Theory has 3 sub theories: social disorganization theory, strain theory, and culture conflict theory

Sub Theories • Social Disorganization theory - theory directly links crime rates to neighborhood ecological characteristics; a core principle of social disorganization theory is that place matters • Strain theory - theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals though they lack the means; this leads to strain which may lead the individuals to commit crimes • Culture Conflict theory - this theory suggests that crime is caused due to the clash of values that arises when different social groups have different ideas of acceptable behavior. In other words, different social groups have different cultural beliefs and ideas which conflict, and this conflict sometimes leads to crime

Results • Vancouver’s population grew by 8. 5 percent between 1996 -2001. During this time the overall unemployment rate rose, and along with it, the number of crimes, specifically automobile theft, committed in the area • “Poverty has been found to have the greatest explanatory power” (Andresen 1996). • Other factors that can have an impact are lack of education, poor job opportunities, overpopulation, and cultural values of the area

Problems with the Justice System • A large problem that the justice system encounters is repeating offenders • Recidivism – a tendency to repeat a previous action or behavior; especially the repetition into criminal behavior • Also when/if a criminal becomes a convicted felon, many of his/her rights are affected

Results • In a 2010 Center for Economic and Policy Research, it was shown that having a history of incarceration lead to a 15 -30% reduced chance of being hired • This apparent lack of job opportunities and negative factors associated with being a criminal is a driving force in what makes many former criminals turn back to crime to earn money • In 2005, 68% of criminals were rearrested within 3 years, and 77% were rearrested in 5 years

Criminals Are Not Provided With Many Choices • Rational Choice Theory (Crime) • According to Regis University, this theory concludes that criminals make a choice to commit a crime after weighing the costs. They also will consider the benefit of not committing the crime, but ultimately determine that the rewards of the crime are greater than the benefit of not committing the crime

Criminals Are Not Provided With Many Choices cont. • According to Wright and Decker, the rational nature of a decision to commit a burglary is limited by the masculine ideals of independence and self-reliance, as well as by the value street culture places on spontaneity. Most offenders simply refuse to consider legitimate means to obtain money (Richard 1996).

Results • According to theory, many of the would-be criminals feel that they do not have many valid options to choose from, and when they need to earn money, many people turn to crime, which is backed by the area’s cultural ideals

Conclusion • The best explanation for crime in urban areas, is the idea of social structure theory and the effects that poor social factors have in relation to criminal activity. As shown in the article about Vancouver’s crime, there is a causal relation between the social factors and the rates of criminal activity • Because of social structures affects, to further prevent crime in the future, the justice system must be revised, and the structure of an urban community needs to be focused on the general success of its inhabitants

References • Andresen, M. A. (2006). A spatial analysis of crime in Vancouver, British Columbia: a synthesis of social disorganization and routine activity theory. The Canadian Geographer, 50(4), 487. Retrieved from Student Resources in Context database. • Moran, R. (1996). Burglars on the job: streetlife and residential break-ins. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 1147 -1160. Retrieved from Student Resources in Context database. • Regis University. (2017). Theories of crime: rational choice theory. Retrieved from Regis University website: http: //criminology. regis. edu/criminologyprograms/resources/crim-articles/theory-of-crime-rational-choice • Simpson, J. H. (2000). Social learning and social structure: a general theory of crime and deviance. Social Forces, 78(3). Retrieved from Student Resources in Context database.