Psychological
Psychological explanations for crime can be used independently to explain criminal behavior. It is based on the belief that people who commit crime think differently in terms of thought processes and perceptions. These theories consider socialization and childhood, trauma, and physical problems such as mental illness. Throughout this film, we see examples of Antisocial Personality disorder which begins in childhood with a lack of morality or ethics. It leads to a pattern of disregard for the rights of others. In the film specifically, the characters show a lack of emotional reactions in relation to their criminal behavior. They have blank faces. Furthermore, the film depicts a myriad of reactionary psychological conditions. Substance abuse, demonstrated by the consumption of 40-ounce malt liquor beverages, it pervasive in this community. This is a way for the characters to self-medicate and cope with negative emotions. Additionally, their psychological states may be influenced by their environment as they have to deal with constant threats and adapt so they can survive in the hood. Doughboy is almost always drinking a 40.
Social disorganization and collective efficacy
Social disorganization theory states that three factors contribute to crime. These factors being physical status, economic status, and population status. According to Shaw and McKay, crime rates drop as they move away from the city center. Neighborhoods in the center zone are socially unorganized. Socially unorganized cities have higher rates of crime because they lack functioning social institutions, and therefore informal and formal social control. There is a governmental inability to regulate the behavior of residents and a lack of cohesion and stability. Collective efficacy is the remedy for social disorganization. This practice maintains the position that social control in neighborhoods is necessary to regulate criminal behavior and frequency. Neighborhoods with high collective efficacy have shared values and goals, have cohesiveness, and have trust in neighbors and act on behalf of the community. In the film, we see a broken community. Neighbors fear and distrust each other as gangsters and delinquents run the streets. Around 40 minutes in, we see Tre walking home from a BBQ and he rescues a child from the middle of the street and takes it home to its mother. The mother begs him for drugs and after he walks away he is threatened with a shotgun for no reason. There is no public commitment to fight crime or control gang activity. This seemed like a normal thing and the gangsters knew nothing would happen to them as a result of their actions.
Differential association
Formulated by Sutherland in the 1940s, the differential association was the first mainstream theory to propose that crime is a learned behavior. This theory focused on peer groups and close, embedded relationships as a source of learning. It adequately explains juvenile delinquency and asserts that crime requires a skill. In the film we see a close group of childhood friends growing up together. Some get involved with different groups and experience crime more frequently and closer than others do. For example, when Tre was walking home at the beginning of the film, he walked past some people gambling. One man appears to have cheated or something and his opponent responded by kicking the man in the chest while he struggles to get up and defend himself. Tre didn’t seem phased by the situation. This was just a normal thing to see in his environment. Later on, after he is dropped off at his father’s house, Tre’s friends come over and see if he wants to hang out. He cannot because he needs to do yard work for his dad. After they leave, Tre’s dad explains to him that they don’t have someone to teach them discipline and how it’s a good and necessary skill to develop.
Aker’s Social Learning Theory
This is an extension of Sutherland’s differential association theory. This social learning theory explains how we learn. It seeks to understand why people repeatedly commit crime after they start. An example in the film of this would be at the beginning of the film. Tre gets into an argument and fights with a classmate. Tre’s classmate starts saying he’ll get his brother to flash his gun in Tre’s face. This is a learned glorification for crime. This classmate sees his brother being benefitted by committing crime and living that lifestyle so he sees it as not only normal but beneficial. Some of the characters learn crime to be a good activity and seek it out for the assumed reward of doing so.
Critical Theories
This group of theories basically states that crime stems from unequal distributions of power and conflict between actors. It factors in social and political conditions more than other theories. I agree with this theory. Society is composed of diverse groups and the group in power dictates what is enforced, against who, and how severely. A lot of the situations and problems in this film are things I don’t have to worry about or even think of. I think an example of this from the film is when the USC recruiter come to interview Ricky. He seems to be of a different world and astounded by the conditions and culture Ricky lives in. This shows how the neighbor this film takes place is forgotten about and neglected by society at large. Their existence and well-being are not a priority of the state.
General Strain Theory
This theory takes an individual approach and extends Classical strain theory. There are three main types of strain. First, failure to achieve positively valued goals. Second, actual or anticipated loss of positively values stimuli. Lastly, actual or anticipated presence of negative stimuli. As a result of these strains, crime occurs as a means to remedy failure. Strain leads to crime because it creates pressure and incentivizes people to engage in criminal coping. It is influenced by emotional, social and cultural factors, including a lack of social support, lack of unhealthy coping skills, and minimal risk for punishment. When Jason is talking to the boys about gentrification, he begins addressing societal issues and articulating that the community is not in peril because of the people, but rather because of the environment they’ve been allotted. He says that the news is biased. He says that this wasn’t an issue until the same things haven’t been happening in Iowa. Jason then asks the question why are there gun and liquor stores on every corner? He posits that the government/ white people want them to kill each other and that the same situation does not exist in places such as Beverly Hills.
Institutional Anomie
In the US there is a strong focus on the American dream. For most, it is legitimately unattainable, but there is still a strong preference for individualism and economic success. People then find ways of achieving this success, even if legitimate ways are blocked. As mentioned in the lecture notes “Crime is a response to strain and an alternative way to achieve the American Dream.” In the film, we see that the Tre is inspired by his father’s influence and advice. His father made it clear to him that this was not the end. He had more to live and see. The effects of strain are minimized in his life. Or at least satiated because he realizes the disconnect between the goals and means in his community.
Social Control Theory
This theory argues that crime is natural and originates from a lack of socialization to conformity and ineffective social controls on behavior. It is based on the idea that social bonds explain the way our behavior is controlled. In the film, when Tre was instructed by his father, Jason, to rake the leaves I saw a clear effort to distract his son from the environment around him. Tre was involved with housework and conventional chores. Jason made an effort to control his son’s perception and engagement in the environment around him so he would not experience or become accustomed to crime.
Self-Control Theory
This state that individuals are responsible for their actions. Crime is not committed due to individual’s tendency to avoid criminal acts because of their ability to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and behavior. In the film, we see a number of individuals who are coerced or forced to partake in behavior they know might be bad but they do so anyway. Doughboy is a person with Low Self Control. His characteristics are riddled with impulsiveness, risk-taking, short-sightedness, short fuse, and insensitivity. This originates from an absence of nurturance and discipline.
Routine Activities
This theory contends that crime is a part of everyday life. Crime is about opportunity. Social and physical environmental factors play a big role in this theory. If opportunities for crime are decreased, then crime will decrease. Crime requires three elements to happen. There needs to be a motivated offender, suitable target, and an absence of a capable guardian. At the 47-minute mark, a drug addict snatches someone’s necklace from his neck and runs off. They catch him and jump him. This is an example of routine activities. The offender was motivated by a suitable target and there was an absence of a capable guardian. As this was all happening, sirens blared in the background but there was no real threat of the police intervening.