Compare and Contrast Criminology Research Papers

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Introduction

This paper examines two empirical studies (Patchin & Hinduja, 2011; & Moon, Hwang & McDCluskey, 2011) conducted on school bullying, in particular theories that are used in these studies such as the general theory of crime, differential association theory and general strain theory. Also, provides a comparison on two empirical studies and identifies the extent to which studies' findings complement each other. Moreover, acknowledge and address the findings contribution to the advancement of these theories.

Discussion

Theories in Both Studies

General Theory of Crime

Travis Hirschi and Michael Gottfredson (1990) in collaboration has developed “A General Theory of Crime.” This theory emphasized on “direct control” as the very important aspect of good parenting. Therefore, they suggested self-control theory that takes account of all individual differences in the “prosperity” in refraining from in committing a crime that they revealed, comprise of all criminal acts and deviance at all conditions and ages. Both researchers have observed that the tendency of committing a crime is based on individual difference, which are dependent on the change in social location of people, together with change in their sanction operation systems' knowledge. This refers to an issue of self-control, the degree of difference in people's tendency in order to avoid illegal activities regardless of the state of affairs where they find themselves. This theory firstly affirmed that differentiate between “criminality” that is the tendency to commit offense, which is an actual occurrence where the law is infringed. Secondly, researchers argued that low-self esteem is developed in the early childhood and parenting played a vital role in developing esteem of a child, either high or low; which is directly related to offensive behavior.

Differential Association Theory

Sutherland (1947) made a significant contribution in criminology by developing the “Differential Association Theory.” The principle of this theory states that an individual become a criminal because of the exposure he received or due to excess of definitions favorable to infringement rules above definitions unfavorable to infringement rules. He asserts that criminal behavior become criminal when a person get exposed to more social message that favors behavior as compared to prosocial message.

Sutherland stated that the notion of differential social organization and differential association might be applied to a personal level and to level of group (aggregation) correspondingly. However, this theory describes why a person inclines to commit offense; differential social associations illustrate what rate of offense of dissimilar social bodies unlike from one another.

General Strain Theory

The general strain theory was put forward by Robert Agnew. This theory is based on defined strain measurements. In this theory, he explained differences in offense between groups such as female against male rates of crime. He has accumulated a remarkable amount of empirical facts, as well as expanded the range of strains that lead a person towards crime. In this theory, Agnew recognized the range of possible strain sources exists in a social setting that leads a person towards ...