Strain Theory and White Collar Crimes White Collar Crimes are crimes performed by a higher class of people which the reason of committing this category of crime has good intentions. We have learned in past lectures of Sociology of Punishment and Crime that strain theory is a social structure that pushes some individuals to commit crime. In this case (white collar crime), the theory is explaining how to reach a goal of an organization, incorporation, etc., where the people performing the work are being involved in frauds, copying, cheating and many other ways of committing a corporate crime. A condition to commit white collar crime you have to have a criminogenic opportunity, which it means you have to be in the right corporation where this is a normal action taken to reach the goal or achieve the status level in work field desired. White Collar Crime sounds very good under the umbrella of strain theory, because it makes it look like it is not the people deciding to deviate. It is the system. But the system is made by people. My critique will stand behind the idea that by introducing strain theory, high level people made rules to accomplish their goals in order to be on top of the chart. My other critique comes regarding class level. If this method was used by small business, it will be caught in actions by the state or police. I do not think is fair to let white collar crimes easily escape, just because we think they are being performed in the name of "better
In a looking glass of a sociologist, we can see white collar crime in our everyday world. When it presents itself; the victims are left hurt and the rest in awe of their awful actions. White Collar Crime is defined as “White collar crime overlaps with corporate crime because the opportunity for fraud, bribery, insider trading, embezzlement, computer crime, and forgery is more available to white-collar employees.” stated by James Henslin. White Collar Crime can be seen in the Libor Scandal, as a prime example.
White collar crime, as a rule, is less visible than conventional crime. A white collar crime, by definition, is a non-violent act involving deception, typically committed by a business person or public official. lawyershop.com
Strain theories of criminal behaviour have been amongst the most important and influential in the field of criminology. Taking a societal approach, strain theories have sought to explain deficiencies in social structure that lead individuals to commit crime (Williams and McShane 2010). Strain theories operate under the premise that there is a societal consensus of values, beliefs, and goals with legitimate methods for achieving success. When individuals are denied access to legitimate methods for achieving success, the result is anomie or social strain. This often leads an individual to resort to deviant or criminal means to obtain the level of success that they are socialized to pursue. This is the basic premise of strain theory. This
"When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw," (Kazi, 2017). The modern societies around the world put a high importance on preventing criminal activity and rectifying behavior that leads to crime. In an ongoing struggle against corruption, many sociologists, and psychologists have done in-depth research to understand what is the cause of crime in our society. Initially, in 1893, Emile Durkheim first came up with the idea called Anomie Theory to explain why offenses take place in our communities. Durkheim reported that crimes took place in our society because there was a lack of ethical norms and social standards within our communities (Walsh, 2018).However, almost half a century later, Robert K. Merton developed Merton's Strain Theory to thoroughly explain why some people in our society are more likely to commit crimes than the others who don’t. Merton’s Strain Theory argues that corruption not only occurs in our communities because we lack norms in our society, but are also caused by the strains that are present among us as individuals which influence people to commit the crime. In his explanation, people will resort to achieving success through illegitimate means when they are blocked from acquiring success through legitimate means (Walsh, 2018). After studying the classical strain theories, I think that Merton’s Strain Theory explains street crimes such as robbery, theft, assault, and drug dealing better than
First of all, what is “Social Strain Theory?” Robert Merton who is a theorist and creator of Strain Theory has allocated that “strains” are instigated by United States social structure which dictates equivalent goals in terms of success and job status within all members of society despite all members not having equivalent means to achieve money and success. Those that have that have obstacles in the way of achieving success and wealth experience strain and could engage in criminal behavior (Merton). In this theory Merton also created “Deviance
Furthermore it states that humans, being conformists readily buy into these notions. However, access to the means for achieving these goals is not equally available to everyone. Some have the education, social network and family influence to attain these goals. The socially and economically disadvantaged do not have the opportunity, education or necessary social network for attaining material wealth and economic or political power. Thus the strain theory predicts that crime occurs when there is a perceived discrepancy between these goals and the legitimate means for reaching them. Individuals who experience a high level of this strain are forced to decide whether to violate laws to achieve these goals, to give up on the goals pushed upon them by society, or to withdraw or rebel.
A white-collar crime by definition is a crime that is committed by individuals of higher status. It is not necessarily a violent crime, but could be depending on the situation. An individual who works in a professional environment, such as the government or corporation tend to take advantage of employees and manipulate them into thinking their practices are legitimate. Some examples, of white-collar crimes include fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other various crimes. However, individuals who involve them selves in drugs or stealing someone’s personal possessions commit street crime. For example, it tends to be violent depending on the situation and it usually happens in a public place or
Certain theories have been discussed in the textbook and other readings for the purpose of explaining the crimes of white-collar. One of the theories under discussion is the strain theory that explains more of the reasons as to why such crimes happen. White collar crime is the violated position of trust done by someone whose main role is formally related to that of another person for personal gain or advantage. General strain theory on white collar crimes is a criminological theory
Before we embark on description and analysis of a General Strain Theory of criminology, it is important to, first of all, understand the meaning of the term "criminology". Criminology, as defined by the two social theorists, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham of Italy and England respectively in their classical school of criminology, is the scientific study of crime, its causes, law enforcement as well as prevention measures taken to curb and control the crime in this case. Despite the fact that criminology has lots of fields including sociology, economics, psychology, biology, psychiatry, statistics and even anthropology, the term also has various theories explaining the real concepts surrounding crime, criminal and criminologist. The reason as to why these theories are many is that criminologists are trying as much as possible to seek the best solutions for reducing the levels and types of crimes. In this regards, the specific theory of criminology that will be described and analyzed in this paper is the General Strain Theory.
Since time immemorial, society has demonised prostitution as deviant and immoral act that ought not to be condoned. For that matter, laws have been created to put the offenders to trial if found indulging in this act. Prostitution is just like any other crime because, society have reservation to it based on the effects it has on the society moral dignity and values. Similarly, laws exist that prohibit its practice and this justifies the argument of it being a crime like any other. The rational choice theory explains why people would engage in crime as well as prostitution. The self-interest and decision to commit crime results after assessing and weighing potential risks such as getting caught
This is opposed to strain theory which argues that social and personal strain “force the hand” of individuals and cause them to commit crimes. However, the weakness of this theory in regards to white-collar crime is the question of why those who've already gained financial success wish to seek more of it through illegitimate ways, particularly if they earned their initial success in a legal manner.
White-collar and corporate crimes happen when individuals and businesses commit fraudulent acts within a legitimate corporation or occupation. White-collar crimes and corporate crimes are similar in nature because employees and their management within the corporate entity commit these crimes. However, white collar crime is committed by an individual who seeks opportunities for personal gain; whereas, corporate crimes are affiliated with the company as a whole who benefits from the criminal activity. According to Alder, Laufer, and Mueller (2013), people are becoming more dependent on dealing with agents of large structures who they do not have a direct relationship with as individuals may have had in the in the past. As corporate America
According to my understanding and reflation paper the white-collar crime concepts are mostly similar, but it is spread in various field in the world. Edwin Sutherland concept provides detailed information about white-collar crime and how it’s work with the different circumstances. There are many techniques exists in current business work environment to reduce and prevent white-collar crime. It is difficult to prove white-collar crime against any victims because it is planed with the specific strategies. People are very worried about the white-collar crime according to the Edwin Sutherland because they do not have any particular information, when the crime occurs. There are many affects associated with the direct to people and it is also most
White-Collar Crime consists of occupational crime and corporate crime. Occupational crime refers to offences committed against legitimate institutions businesses or government by those with "respectable" social status. It includes the embezzlement of corporate funds, tax evasion, computer crime and expense-account fraud. It is not every day that we hear about white-collar crimes but these non-violent crimes are on the rise to the top. Federal Bureau of Investigation states that USA, for example recorded white collar crimes amounting $300 billion every year (Cornell University, 2010). White-collar crime is relatively a new idea. It has many aspects that are practical for study and further interpretation to clear some of its dark areas. White-Collar Crime was once introduced by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during his speech in American Sociological Society. The following crimes actually performed are Bribery, Extortion, Insurance, Fraud, Embezzlement, Cybercrime etc. People who participate in these criminal activities are highly powerful and respectful among the society. The following activities include description about White-collar Crime, Investigation of White Collar Crime and The Consequences of committing a White-collar Crime.
In criminology, white collar crime refers to a nonviolent crime that is motivated financially among the government and business professionals. The definition of white collar crime was first fronted in 1939 by Sutherland who outlined that it is a crime carried out by an individual of high social status and respectability during his or her occupation. Some of the regular activities related to white collar crimes include bribery, forgery, fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, identity theft, Ponzi schemes, copyright infringement, insider training, and cybercrime. On the other hand, political crime is a kind of an offense that involves omissions or acts of overt which have the resultant effect of prejudicing the interests of a country, the political system as well as the government.