1) we move into the realm of Sociology and a drift from Structural Theories of Crime to Process Theories of Crime. Historically, what prompted Criminology to make this shift or perhaps addition to the paradigm?
In the early 1920s and through into the 1960s sociological theorists grabbed hold of the stage from early positivists, namely scholars, and practitioners that looked at the impact of biological and psychological factors on human behavior. Then in the late 1950s and early 1960s Social Process Theories made their way to the front of the stage. Dr. Cullen and Akers discuss this critical shift. Again, we must be attentive to the “social context” of the times that established the stage for the entrance of sociological process constructs (Lilly, Cullen, and Ball, 2018). Why did structural theories of crime in the Criminological Realm take a backseat to social process theories?
The shift from structural theories of crime to social process theories in criminology was influenced by several factors:
- Changing Social Context: The mid-20th century was a period of significant social and economic change, with urbanization, industrialization, and increased social mobility. These changes challenged the traditional focus on structural factors like poverty and inequality as the primary causes of crime.
- Limitations of Structural Theories: While structural theories provided valuable insights into the relationship between social structures and crime, they were criticized for overemphasizing the role of external factors and neglecting individual agency.
The shift from structural theories of crime to social process theories in criminology was influenced by several factors:
- Changing Social Context: The mid-20th century was a period of significant social and economic change, with urbanization, industrialization, and increased social mobility. These changes challenged the traditional focus on structural factors like poverty and inequality as the primary causes of crime.
- Limitations of Structural Theories: While structural theories provided valuable insights into the relationship between social structures and crime, they were criticized for overemphasizing the role of external factors and neglecting individual agency.
