Sociological Perspectives on Criminal Behavior Essay

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Crime

Three Perspectives on Crime

For decades sociologists have debated the causes of crime and criminal behavior and have created three sociological perspectives involving the cause of crime. Schmalleger identifies these three perspectives as Individual Responsibility Perspective, Social Problems Perspective, and Integrated Perspective. A discussion of current criminal activity can easily identify cases in which each of these perspectives can be applied.

The Individual Responsibility Perspective defines criminal behavior as the result of individual personal choices. According to Schmalleger, this perspective states that individuals are ultimately responsible for their own behavior and that some individuals choose to engage in criminal activity as opposed to following the law. HSBC is Europe's third largest bank and in 2013 it agreed to pay a $1.9 Billion fine "to resolve charges it enabled Latin American drug cartels to launder billions of dollars…." (Smythe, 2013) HSBC CEO Stuart Gulliver and Chairman Douglas Flint were accused of failing to monitor wire transfers in excess of $650 Billion and close to $10 Billion in U.S. currency purchases. It could be argued that these gentlemen personally made the choice to engage in criminal behavior because they would be rewarded financially.

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In exchange for a deferred prosecution agreement, the bank agreed to pay the fines and enact specific reforms which will put the bank in accordance with the law.

The second perspective is the Social Problems Perspective and is defined by Schmalleger as criminal behavior as a result of social problems such as poverty, discrimination, substance abuse, inequality, etc.. In 2010 a troubled person named Todd Hannigan was convicted of trafficking narcotics and sentenced to 15 years in prison. However, it could be said that Mr. Hannigan's case could be the result of the Social Problems Perspective on crime. In Hannigan's case he had a number of minor prior convictions involving theft, robbery, and burglary and suffered from both social and psychological problems. While attempting to commit suicide by overdosing on Hydrocodone, Hannigan was arrested before he could ingest a lethal dose. Because he still had 31 remaining pills in his possession, he was charged with trafficking narcotics.….....

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