{"id":85,"date":"2023-09-14T15:23:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T15:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palni.org\/forensicpsychology\/?post_type=chapter&p=85"},"modified":"2023-11-13T19:28:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T19:28:01","slug":"chapter-3","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palni.org\/forensicpsychology\/chapter\/chapter-3\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 3: Theoretical Origins of Criminal Behavior","rendered":"Chapter 3: Theoretical Origins of Criminal Behavior"},"content":{"raw":"

Chapter 3: Theoretical Origins of Criminal Behavior<\/h1>\r\nRobert K. Merton (1910-2003) theorized the sociological and consequently a criminological view, causes of deviancy when he wrote the Strain Theory. This theory posited that deviancy was a normal behavior within a civilized society regardless of country with the caveat that an individual\u2019s goals and ability to meet same determine whether he\/she will deviate or conform to accomplish their goals. \u00a0Below are the five (5) Strain Theories:\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"8\"]\r\n\r\nAs a college student, you can diverge from acceptable scholastic behavior in class that involves academic honesty and enter the deviant territory of cheating to pass college. But why would one do this? It is because not everyone had the same upbringing, the same childhood, the same religious or cultural values, etc. Taking the example in an earlier paragraph, if someone is potentially going to cheat in college, it would most likely be the wealthy, but emotionally neglected male child. It may seem strange that the wealthier child who has the financial means to succeed would lower himself to cheat. Let\u2019s look at the scenario\u2014wealthy male\u2019s childhood as compared to the poor male child. The wealthy male was neglected emotionally by his parents yet given everything\u2014he never had to earn<\/em> it (innovation). The lower income male child did receive love and support from his parent and knew that education must be earned (conformity).\r\n

Formal Deviance<\/h3>\r\nFormal deviance is an explicit violation of established social norms, laws, and rules within a given society. The actions and\/or behaviors of the individual are met with consequences in the form of criminal prosecution, legal sanctions, or removal from society.\r\n\r\nCriminal deviant behavior that negatively impact victims and society: sexual assault, battery, homicide, robbery, burglary, theft, shoplifting, rape, child pornography, fraud, embezzling, child abuse, making\/selling drugs or narcotics, animal abuse\/neglect, driving while intoxicated, assault.\r\n

Informal Deviance<\/h3>\r\nInformal deviance is a violation of society\u2019s informal expectations of appropriate behavior.\r\n\r\nInterrupting when someone is speaking, lying, burping out loud after drinking\/eating, ignoring personal space when near a stranger, flatulence in public, cutting in line, using foul language, gossiping, picking your nose.\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"9\"]\r\n

References<\/h2>\r\nKhan Academy (2014). Perspectives on deviance <\/em>[Video]. YouTube. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MSucylf4KhY<\/a>\r\n\r\nRoberston, S. (n.d.). Foundations in sociology. <\/em>Retrieved on September 20, 2023 from https:\/\/openpress.usask.ca\/soc112\/chapter\/non-conformity-and-social-control-criminal-and-social-justice\/<\/a>","rendered":"

Chapter 3: Theoretical Origins of Criminal Behavior<\/h1>\n

Robert K. Merton (1910-2003) theorized the sociological and consequently a criminological view, causes of deviancy when he wrote the Strain Theory. This theory posited that deviancy was a normal behavior within a civilized society regardless of country with the caveat that an individual\u2019s goals and ability to meet same determine whether he\/she will deviate or conform to accomplish their goals. \u00a0Below are the five (5) Strain Theories:<\/p>\n

\n