Sociological explanations of crime

social background

causes of crime can be found in the offenders social background, upbringing and social position. e.g. faulty socialization or poverty

labelling and stereotyping

The causes of crime can be found in the way societies react to crime and deviance

The definition of crime

The causes of crime can be found in the way the definition of crime and what is and what isn't a crime changes through time by those who have to power to redefine the term

forms of social control

formal and informal social control

formal social control

laws, the police, prison, negative sanctions, positive sanctions: good jobs, better pay, awards, exam qualifications

informal social control

good socialization, peer pressure, parental pressure.