1.The need for integrated theory (5)
Most 19th century theories of criminal behaviour are best described as based on single-factor
(IQ) or limited-factor (stgmata) reductonism.
Later, in the early 1900s, a second stage of theoretcal development involved the examinaton of
various social, biological, and psychological factors, which became known as the mult-factor
approach.
In the later half of the 20th century, a third stage of theoretcal development and research in
criminology became dominant, which represented a backlash against the multple-factor
approach.
This stage has been called systemic reductonism, which refers to the pervasive atempts to
explain criminal behaviour in terms of a partcular system of knowledge.
For the last 50 years, the criminological discipline in the U.S has been dominated by sociologists.
What resulted is a period of relatve stagnaton in theoretcal development, with experts
regarding the 1970s as one of the least creatve periods in criminological history.
Thus, it has been proposed that integrated theories evolved as a response to such limitatons
and the need to revitalize progress in the area of criminological theory building.
2.Elliot’s integrated model of delinquent behaviour (10) *NB
It was the frst major perspectve proposed that clearly atempted to merge various traditonally
separate theories of crime.
Atempts to merge strain, social disorganizaton, control, and social learning and diferental
associaton-reinforcement perspectves for the purpose of explaining delinquency, partcularly
I.T.O drug use, as well as other forms of deviant behaviour.
As can be seen in the fgure, the concepts and propositons of strain and social disorganizaton,
as well as inadequate socializaton, are considered root causes of delinquency.
I.O.W, failing to achieve one’s goals (strain theory) or coming from disadvantaged
neighborhoods (social disorganizaton) are key causes for predisposing people to criminal
behaviour.
Furthermore, the fact that many low-income households tend to lack adequate socializaton,
such as when a single parent has to work 3 jobs to make ends meet, is also a major root cause of
delinquency.
Because this model clearly shows some models and constructs coming frst (strain, social
disorganizaton) and others coming later (weak bonding and then afliatons with delinquents)
that lead to criminality, this is a good example of and end-to-end form of theoretcal integraton.
Although some antecedent variables (such as strain) can lead directly toward delinquent
actvity, most of the criminal actvity is theoretcally predicted through a process that would
include a breakdown of conventonal bonding (ie social control and bonding theory), which
occurs in many individuals who experience strain or social disorganizaton in their
neighborhoods along with inadequate socializaton.
According to Elliot’s integrated theory, this factor – strong delinquent bonding – most directly
results in delinquent behaviour among most juvenile ofenders.
One of the notable features of this theoretcal model is that it allows for various types of
individuals to become criminal – it allows for a variety of possibilites when it comes to causal
paths that explain how crime and delinquency develop in certain people and groups.
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