Conflict Theory & Social Control Theory: A Comparison
Both conflict theory and social control theory have their similarities and differences. It is important to discuss and address those issues because both theories have been used as a way to talk about the occurrence of crime in contemporary American society. To that end, the effects of positive and negative reinforcement on crime must be considered in both theoretical frameworks. Examples of the issues faced also matter, in order to ensure that each one of the concerns faced by society are handled properly where criminality is concerned. Because criminality is a large part of any society, the ways in which criminals are handled - and the ways in which they develop their criminal behavior - are both very important to consider in an effort to reduce the number of criminals in that society.
Since there are several different theories about how criminality is created and how it grows and manifests in a person, looking at the two theories that will be considered here will help to provide a better perspective on how criminals are created. Some believe that there are just "bad" people and they are often born that way, but studies indicate that most criminals are taught the behaviors in which they engage (Stark, 2007; Hirschi & Gottfredson, 2005). They might see their families engage in criminal behavior, or they may grow up with peers who are focused on criminality (Hirschi, 2002). The neighborhoods in which some of these individuals are born and raised also do not help them to avoid criminal issues because they see it so often that it simply becomes a part of life for them (Thio, 2008). However, that does not mean that they cannot choose a different path or that they absolutely have to be criminals if they decide to set their sights on something better. Society does not always have the final say, even though many people who attempt to avoid criminal behavior can still get involved in criminality if they allow themselves to do so.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory states that there are inequalities in a social group that are material, social, or political (Stark, 2007). This distracts from the function of the group and the people in it, and also draws attention to the differentials in power that are seen such as conflict with class and other social constructs (Stark, 2007). The theory analyzes society on a macro level and owes its beginning to the likes of Karl Marx (Thio, 2008). There are a few different theoretical ideas, actually, that all fall under the umbrella of conflict theory. Even though there are several different theories, anything that causes a deep level of conflict is very important to be aware of, because conflict relates to criminality in many ways (Stark, 2007). For example, those who feel as though they are being pushed out or marginalized by society, and/or those who do not seem to fit into the standard, expected social classes, often find that they move toward criminal behavior (Stark, 2007; Thio, 2008). The idea behind conflict theory is that capitalism (and other socioeconomic systems) produce tensions that are internal and that will lead the system to destroy itself eventually (Thio, 2008).
While capitalism has not reached that self-destruct point, there are certainly tensions within it. Many of those tensions are between the "haves" and the "have nots." Inequality defines most societies, and in doing so those societies produce a lot of conflict (Stark, 2007). People who are disadvantaged in society have a couple of options. They can become change agents and work toward benefitting themselves and others like them, or they can give up and turn to criminality in order to attempt to get the things that they are being denied by society (Thio, 2008; Hirschi, 2002). The choice they make will affect not only them but their families and friends, as well as the rest of society around them. The cost of incarcerating people and rehabilitating them also has an effect on society, because it takes money away from other programs where that money could potentially be more useful (Stark, 2007; Thio, 2008). That is not to say that conflict theory is the only theory addressed when it comes to criminality, however, because there are other options to consider.
Social Control Theory
In contrast to conflict theory, social control theory addresses the idea that socialization and learning build control in a person's mind (Hirschi, 2002; Hirschi & Gottfredson, 2005). That, in turn, reduces the...
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