“Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City” is a book by sociologist Elijah Anderson that examines the dynamics of inner-city life in poor African American neighborhoods. Anderson conducted extensive field research in Philadelphia, focusing on the Code of the Street as a set
micro/macro
Defiance Theory (Sherman)
According to the Defiance Theory, punishment can have three different effects. Punishment can have a deterrent effect and thus have the desired success. Punishment can be ineffective, i.e. have no influence on the subsequent committing of crimes. Punishment can cause a reaction of defiance. Thus punishment intensifies deviant behaviour. Which
Deterrence theories
Deterrence theories argue that the punishment of crimes results in both actual and potential perpetrators avoiding crime in the future. Main Proponents Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham, Franz von Liszt, Jack P. Gibbs, Alex Piquero, Raymond Paternoster, Stephan Tibbetts, M.C. Stafford, M. Warr, etc. Theory Deterrence theories are based on the
Rational Choice Theory
Criminology’s application of the Rational Choice Theory sees crime as the result of individual rational consideration of the expected benefits and costs of criminal activity. Main Proponents Gary S. Becker, Derek Cornish, Ronald Clarke, u.a. Theory The thesis of ‘Rational Choice’ is an economic, general theory of action. In general,
Theory of differential opportunities (Cloward & Ohlin)
The theory of differential opportunities combines learning, subculture, anomie and social disorganization theories and expands them to include the recognition that for criminal behaviour there must also be access to illegitimate means. Main proponent Richard A. Cloward und Lloyd E. Ohlin Theorie Cloward & Ohlin’s theory of differential opportunities represents
Subcultural theory (Cohen)
Cohen’s subcultural theory assumes that crime is a consequence of the union of young people into so-called subcultures in which deviant values and moral concepts dominate. Subcultural theory became the dominant theory of its time. Main proponent Albert K. Cohen Theory Cohen’s basic assumption is that most juvenile criminals are
