List of sociological theories
A representative listing of the sociological theories of crime discussed by Hagan (2017) includes the following:
1) Anomie theory by Emile Durkheim;
2) General Strain Theory by Robert Agnew;
3) Differential Opportunity theory;
4) Albert Cohen’s lower-class reaction theory; and,
5) David Matza’s delinquency and drift theory (Hagan, 2017).
Selection of five sociological theories ranked in order of most effective to least effective
The five sociological theories listed above are ranked in order of the most effective to least effective in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Sociological theories ranked most effective to least effective (descending order)
Sociological theory
Rank
Differential Opportunity theory
1
Anomie theory
2
General Strain Theory by Robert Agnew
3
David Matza’s delinquency and drift theory
4
Albert Cohen’s lower-class reaction theory
5
Analysis of the most effective sociological theory of crime
The rationale in support of the rankings set forth in Table 1 above is discussed briefly below.
1. Differential Opportunity theory: As the name connotes, this pragmatic theory holds that people achieve their goals through legal or illegal means based on their societal...
References
Cohen’s lower class reaction theory. (2016). Wyndham University Department of Sociology. Retrieved from https://sociologytwynham.com/2013/05/23/cohens-subcultural-theory/.
Goode, E. (2008). Out of control: Assessing the general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford Social Sciences..
Hagan, F.E. (2017). Introduction to criminology: Theories, methods, and criminal behavior (9th ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA; Sage.
Hoffmann, J. P. (2011). Delinquency theories: Appraisals and applications. New York: Routledge.
Hoffmann, J. P. & Spence, K. R. (2010, December). Who's to blame? Elaborating the role of attributions in general strain theory. Western Criminology Review, 11(3), 1-4.
Zafar, S. & Gul, S. (2016, July). Parental acceptance-rejection and delinquent behavior among adolescents. Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 8(3), 118-122.
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