Criminology - Quiz 3

[Name of the Institute]

Criminology - Quiz 3

Explain how Reckless's theory of Containment was very much influenced by Emile Durkheim's theory of Anomie.

Emile Durkheim was a famous sociologist who introduced the concept of anomie, a Greek word which refers to the collapse of values and norms in a society; to explain deviant social behavior. His theory of anomie holds that without any social rules to guide individuals, they cannot fully adjust in any society. Such a state of anomie is thus affected by any sudden change in the societal, economic or financial dynamics either positive or negative (Hagan, 2010).

Theories of social control are all based upon certain regulated mechanisms which are imposed on a society's members, based upon which deviant behavior, right or wrong moral decisions and legal violations are assessed. Moreover, norms, customs, laws, ethics and etiquette are all mechanisms of control and are hence used to define and describe behavior. Walter Reckless, a sociologist writing in the 1960's developed his Containment Theory based upon the norms of social control. Thus, his theory is aims to define delinquency as well as conformity in a society (Hagan, 2010).

Thus, it can be concluded that Durkheim's theory of anomie has influenced many criminological theories, out of which the concept of social control has arisen. His observation that control in a society as opposed to rapid changes assist in controlling anomie and closely ties with Reckless's theory that deviant behavior is greatly influenced by mechanisms of social control (Hagan, 2010).

Within the context of Sykes and Matza's “techniques of neutralization,” explain how it was possible for youths to violate conventional morality, if they still integrated into the society and generally respected its norms, rules, and regulations.

The theory of techniques of neutralization as proposed by Matza and Sykes seeks to define that delinquent behavior is a result of individuals 'suppressing' their intrinsic moral and legal values which would stop them from committing deviant acts. It is a psychological method by which people switch off their “inner guilt or protest,” when they are committing morally or legally wrong acts or acts which they know to be wrong. The theorists observe that people are always aware of their moral and legal obligations having been raised in a society with norms, regulations and values. However, they employ mechanisms of “neutralization” to 'silence' their moral and societal obligations (Lilly et al, 2010).

Moreover, Matza and ...