Individuals lead to crime for slightly different reasons which relate to their unique genetic character, their corresponding mental ability, their socialization and life circumstances; it is the interplay of these and other variables, any one of which may be more determinative in a particular case that causes a particular individual to resort to crime. Consequently, crime, like poverty, doesn't lend itself very well to comprehensive solutions, unless these solutions simultaneously address all the dominant factors underlying its causation in the majority of cases. The “Urban Society-Gesellshaft Thesis” goes on to say that important normative constraint which served to deter criminal behavior in the past tend to be absent in modern urban societies. The dramatic increase in crime in the 19th and 20th centuries has been attributed to the absence of a sense of community in urban societies.…
In this paper, the author will explain and discuss the term social institution as applied to organized crime. It will also argue for which empirical and speculative theories are most applicable when applied to organized crime and criminal behavior. At least four references will be cited from assigned readings and scholarly research sources. This will be done at a relatively high level, given the length of the paper as specified in the assignment (700-1,050 words). The paper will follow APA guidelines, using in-text citations and references.…
Central to social disorganization theory are the neighborhood mechanisms that reduce crime and disorder. Foremost among these are residents’ social ties and the degree to which people exercise social control in their neighborhoods. Social ties and informal control are theorized as mediating the effects of exogenous sources of social disorganization (e.g., poverty, residential instability, ethnic heterogeneity) on neighborhood crime. Examples of informal control include residents’ efforts to prevent or sanction disorderly…
Criminal Organizations are highly organized, more than ever before; they have taken a new approach to handle various situations and committing more complex crimes. In this paper we will be discussing how organize crime groups may be considered social institutions of the criminal world, and what empirical and speculative theories are relevant to organized crime and criminal behavior.…
Social structure theories view societal, financial, and social arrangements or structures as the primary cause of deviant and criminal behaviors (University of Phoenix, 2013). In other words, the primary cause of crime or deviant behavior can be traced to the less fortunate, or lower class of people. Social structure theories indicate that neighborhoods of lower class individuals suffer from immense strain, stress, frustration, and a kind of disorganized chaos that creates crime (Inchaustegui, n.d.). While this theory definitely has some truths regarding resources and some people’s experiences, certain strains…
Organized crime has been viewed as activities that are related to violence, drugs, prostitution other illegal activities that are intertwined with corruption that can at times involve participation of political and criminal justice parties. It is usually structured in a hierarchical format carrying the head boss on top and his captains, lieutenants and soldiers at the bottom. Organized crimes eventually become like a family setting whose family members are privately selected based on a host of different references. Ethnicity, religion, willingness to listen and follow orders, personal family history and even qualifications based on criminal and monetary influences, are but a few of the references that the members should offer.…
Organized crime still exists in America today, and law enforcement agencies are still trying to find a way to eliminate their existence. Many of this organized crime is illegal operations that use legitimate business as a legal front. It’s considered a social institute because it has a hierarchy system because it follows a chain of command among its members. Empirical and Speculative theories developed to assist the police agencies to understand how the organized crime operates and how to deal with its existence. This paper will examine a social institution as it applies to organized crime and the empirical and speculative theories most…
Sociologists define the term social institution as a multifaceted, combined set of social standards organized for the preservation of a basic social value. As we know the definition of the term Social institution differs from a sociologist to a normal person on the streets. A normal person constantly uses the term "institution" very inaccurately, for jails, hospitals, churches, and many other things as institution.…
A social institution is defined as a complex, integrated set of social norms organized around the preservation of a basic societal value (Sociologyguide.com, 2011). A social institution is an organized system that exists to satisfy basic social needs. These institutions help connect individuals to a larger social group. In this paper I will discuss and explain how organized crime relates to social institutions. I will also explain which theories can be applied to organized crime and criminal behavior.…
Social disorganization is seen as the primary 79 ETHNICITY AND CRIME: CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR REDEFINED Noel Otu and Nancy Horton explanation for the rise of ethnic drug-related crimes. Social disorganization theory came to the forefront as a means of explaining crime during the Great Depression; it dealt with rapid mass immigration. Now there is no great depression, but the crime rate is not low enough, and we are still defining crime along ethnic lines. The notion of social disorganization should be reviewed and applied in combination with other explanations for ethnic criminality. Social disorganization alone does not define crime along ethnic lines.…
as well as the ability for those in poverty to find some type of success…
Criminal activity is an intimate part of today’s society. Criminal activity has no economical, religious, or social boundaries. Individuals commit crime out of greed, social status and lack of moral values. Over the years several researchers have offered a variety of social structured theories in an attempt to explain the relationship between crime and society. Moreover, the theories help to provide a blue print of the development of the organized crime within society. Though organized crime is difficult to combat, it is possible through an understanding of the various causal theories associated with organized crime development.…
Social Institutions are groups of people who have come together for a common purpose. These institutions have formed a common bond. They have done research and have concluded by joining they can achieve more. Some of the social institutions in the local community are the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Cub Scouts, the Girl Scouts. There are generally five different types of social institutions. They are political, educational, religious, economic, and family. Each is filled with members of a common goal. Organized crime organizations have adopted the philosophy of social institutions. They also have a group of people who have come together to achieve a common goal. The difference is there goal is to profit by committing crimes.…
As such, it is crucial to understand why people join gangs. The three theoretical school of thought presented effectively provide a better understanding of the underlying causes to gang membership. Social disorganization demonstrates the importance of legitimate social institutions in a community. A lack of institutions can result in criminal institutions providing socialization which results in an acceptance of criminal norms. Differential association theory essentially proves the saying that “birds of the same feather flock together”. Once a community is disorganized and criminal elements infiltrate members of the community are exposed to gang members and begin to associate with them as their peers. Consequently, the knowledge and skills of mobsters are adopted and deviance becomes accepted. Moreover, strain theory provides evidence that many also seek gang membership for financial benefit. Societal demands place pressure on individual to attain wealth and when legitimate means are inaccessible illegitimate means are utilized. Lastly, control theory illustrates weak communities provide weak control methods resulting in the inability to prevent criminality. The theoretical schools of thought are also expressed by former mobsters in their memoirs with researchers. Gangs are able to continually infiltrate communities and recruit members because of broken and poor communities that do not have weak…
Organized crime has always been occupied with a negative label. Perhaps this is due to the constantly changing environment in America as well as the social state of its homeland, Europe. Our society is convinced that the so-called Mafia is a family of pure criminals, pimps, and murderers. Whatever the opinion, there is no doubt that the Mafia played a big part in the history of America and the way Americans view crime today. "The origins of the secret society known as the Mafia are believed to be as old as the 9th century" (Mafia History). During the 9th century, the Mafia's main purpose was to strengthen themselves against enemies, which invaded their homeland in Sicily. It was supposed to create a strong feeling of togetherness…