Application of Criminological Theory Essay

This theme lead tenseness on the industry of criminological surmise in the succeeding(a) scenario As the vice principal in load up of discipline at a p detainigious shoal, I need to obtain what actions to take in dealing with a degenerate eighth grade potent student. This student comes from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background and has now been caught in a physical altercation with a nonher student. My forecast supervisor, the principal, believes it is in the students best(p) interest to remain at our school.As I am in charge of discipline, I leave suggest some(prenominal)(prenominal) practical courses of action, incorporating criminological theories, to be use every singly or in tandem. The first course of action would be to speak to mevery(prenominal) of the students involved in the altercation and in turn, their p arents. Although it is non an excuse, it is possible that thither was much(prenominal) or less instigation precede the altercation. Speaking with some(prenominal) students whitethorn create a picture as to the personality of what transpired and how it could deliver been avoided. In all case, both students entrust be reprimanded as we create a zero tolerance polity for such acts here at the school.To the right air date the unnatural student, lets call him David, it pass on be prerequisite to find prohibited to a greater extent nigh his background, br anformer(a)(prenominal)ly and family ties, fatener learns, general demeanor, and any goals or hopes he has. I ejectnot evidently classify David as a new-fangled inattentive or a future(a) poplaw. To label him whitethorn do to a greater extent harm than good. Labeling possible action The labeling theory asserts that erst an idiosyncratic has deviated from the well-disposed norms of society, they are labelled as a delinquent or a criminal, and begin to behave as such (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2011).In otherwise words, if David is incessantly labeled by the school, his peers, and society in general as a fresh delinquent then he provide begin to believe it himself. His self-esteem and self-worth volition go down and he lead begin viewing himself as a juvenile delinquent. Once David has accepted his label, he will begin to engage in more and more degenerate acts. So it is most-valuable here that I am sensitive to his situation and avoid lay a label on him for whiz discretionary act. Social Disorganization Theory We know that David comes from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background.It is same(p)ly that he lives in an purlieu where brotherly ties are poor and delinquent peer hosts are abundant. Such communities have a higher crime tread and a higher rate of delinquency, as explicateed by their debile genial bonds. friendlyly organized and tight-knit communities are more probably to supervise and reassure teenage peer groups where affablely disorganized communities are not (McCord, 1992). External facto rs such as lack of supervision and a weak brotherly bond whitethorn be contributing to Davids delinquency. Unfortunately, the school arouse do little in the way of sponsoring him and his family out of their community of interests.However, creating a social bond of sorts here at the school may helper David move from a perhaps delinquent peer group to iodine more conscientious of social norms and societal laws. I would suggest laborious to get David involved in a have or another social club at the school. Again, finding out what he is interested in is an important part of helping him. We want David to sense of smell socially accepted and make up his self-esteem. reading Theories Learning theories suggest that antisocial, aberrant, and criminal appearance is not in until nowed in an individual(a), but erudite d mavin actions with their environment and peers. Because of their individual circumstances, some quite a little learn and practice behaviors that the big soci ety condemns. not surprisingly, children growing up in neighborhoods rife with crime practically end up endueting crime themselves (Barkan, 2009). It is immanent that David associate with peers that follow and respect societies rules. The theory of differential association attributes an individuals attitudes and views of crime and deviance to that of their immediate social groups.In other words, if Davids peer group is abnormal, he will be deviant as well. Another report for that follows the theory of differential identification David may feel the need to fit in and be accepted as a member of a group. By playacting like the group he has chosen to fit in to dressing like they do, speaking the way they speak, and engaging in the same deviant activities they engage in, he gains their approval and is accepted as part of the group. In the same manner, David is learning deviant behavior because he is exposed to it on a regular basis.He may see wildness and deviance as a social nor m (and then acceptable) because in his immediate environment it is a normal occurrence. Finally, through differential reinforcement, this lettered behavior is reinforced through refund or praise from his peer group. possibly he sees everyday violence in which the person committing the violence is never reprimanded. If David believes he can commit these acts with little fear of reprimand or with the come alongment of his peer group, he is more likely to do so and not even feel like he has done anything wrong.School is a stick with many rules and many types of interactions with different people. intelligibly what is acceptable in Davids space environment and peer group is not acceptable here. It is important that he understand what is right and wrong in this background knowledge and furthermore, in society. I will likely suggest that David speak with the schools psychologist to chance how much learned deviant behavior he has experienced. This will likewise give him an oppo rtunity to bond with person who respects social norms and laws. Control Theories remote other criminological theories, control theories stigmatize out to learn not wherefore individuals commit crime, but wherefore they do not commit crime (Akers & international deoxyadenosine monophosphateere Sellers, 2004). Davids meeting with the school psychologist will in addition shed some luminance on where he measures using some of the control theories. The containment theory introduces the possibility that there are internal and external influences that deal an individual away from committing crime. Internally, that individuals substantiative self-image and tolerance for frustration help sway them from becoming deviant.On the other side, external influences like positive economic consumption models and a close family bond will do the same (Barkan, 2009). Travis Hirshis social bonding theory had several explanations for the behavior of juveniles. These explanations acknowledged mu sical accompanimented research that erect that youths who were strongly wedded to their parents were less likely to commit criminal acts and youths who maintained weak and distant relationships with people tended toward delinquency (Evans, n. d. ) One final growth to control theories, although there are several more, is the coercive control and social resist theory.This theory, in short, states that an individual is coerced into crime either through fear or through other means, such as poverty. Whether that individual has strong social support from family, their community, and social institutions such as school, has a full-size impact on the likelihood that the individual with commit crime. While each of these control theories introduce several ideas about why individuals may or may not commit crime, one similarity is present throughout. The presence of a strong social bond with friends, family, and community encourages a crime free existence.To encourage David to head down the right path, so to speak, we need to fortify his social bonds. Life-Course Theories Life-course theories focus on what factors occur during different stages of ones life that may advertise delinquency or crime. These factors include socioeconomic status, poor and inconsistent parenting, weak social bonds, poor school performance, and delinquent peers. (Barkan, 2009). The revenant theme across the life-course theories is that it is weak social bonds, poor parenting, and the influence of delinquent peers that determine an individuals susceptibility to deviant behavior.Strain, or stress, result from an individuals perceived inadequacies make them even more susceptible. Such strain can be caused by any number of the causative factors of delinquency listed above. A young and waxen individual such as David may experience strain because of his socioeconomic status, his obstruction at the school, or many other reasons. The more strain one experiences, the more likely they are to displ ay deviant behavior. Conclusion I fully support the principals decision to harbour David at the school as it unfeignedly is in his best interest.My final corrective decision regarding the physical altercation betwixt David and the other student will include several days of in-school suspension where both boys will be able to allot out their punishment while still completing school assignments, separated from the rest of the students of course. I am compelled to reach out to David and give him every opportunity to reform. I will be speaking with the teacher who made the initial complaint regarding David to explain to them that he is in need of a positive role model and positive reinforcement.A visit with the schools psychologist will also be made. Not only will this give David an return to perhaps discuss his problems, it will also expose him to another positive influence and someone who can help him do it with any anger issues he may have. Introducing David to positive and clo se social bonds is already decreasing the chance that he will engage in more deviant behavior. Suggestions will be made that he engage in a sport or other social clubs at the school. This will encourage David to interact with a less deviant peer group. at that place will also be a meeting between David and myself. I will explain to David that his current behaviors are out of the question here at school and any further infractions will be dealt with bustling and more severe punishments. Once that has been discussed, I would like to find out more about what goals David has. In doing so, I can help motivate him to obtain these goals. My purport is to make it clear to him that I am there to help with any issues he has and that he can feel gentle coming to me, or any other school staff, if he needs to.In closing, the main goal here is to help David by introducing positive role models, making him feel socially accepted to increase his self-esteem, strengthen his social bonds, and enco urage him to interact with people in a more positive way. If nowhere else, a school should foster these values to reduce a childs likelihood of delinquency. ? References Akers, R. , & Sellers, C. (2004). Student Study Guide for criminological Theories Introduction, Evaluation, and Application (4th ed. ). Los Angeles, CA Roxbury Publishing Company.