Soc 201: Criminology 9/29/05

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Today we will be discussing the Chicago School of Sociology and how it relates to the field we are studying.
History of the Chicago School
Handout on Further Reading if you'd like

Today, we will discuss in class Social Disorganization Theory

In the original study, the analysts found that even when new immigrant groups moved into an area due to stratification and other factors, juvenile deliquency rates remained at the same levels. Therefore, they supposed that it was not the "constitution" of a particular ethnic of economic group that caused deliquency, but rather the environment itself. One definition of the problem is "The inability of a community structure to realize the common values of its residents and maintain effective social controls."

Discussion question for class: How much do you believe environmental factors play into criminal behavior?

It is exam time again. Study Guide for Monday's Exam The questions will be taken from the first 25.

Comments

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

I think the environment and environmental factors can play a major part in criminal behavior. The world around us influences almost everyone in some way. Some are negative and some are positive. For example, we can take the people who say that watching too much violent tv or too many violent movies can lead to people becoming violent in an effort to imitate what they've seen.

The thing about environmental factors, though, is that proving that they are a direct cause of crime is difficult at best. There's no way to measure if a violent movie caused John Doe to go kill someone.

My opinion may be that John Doe was influenced by said movie but proving that in a court of law in order to punish the movie makers would not be easy.

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

But perhaps some classes and socio-economic groups are more exposed to violent media than others - is it because these cultures identify with what is going on in their communities, a reflection of the culture, or perhaps groups with more power providing it? How does that effect personal responsibility?

I do agree with your thoughts, however. Where the line can be drawn over responsibility for the effect of media is something I don't have the answer to. It it a trigger for criminal elements that are already present, or can longterm exposure result in criminal behavior? Good thoughts today.