Demonstrate knowledge of criminology by showing that you understand two core criminological theoretical schools of thought.

Assignment Brief

With reference to two of the theories covered in this module, critically assess the contribution that criminological theory could make to our understanding of street gangs, riots, or sexual offending.

Sample Answer

Critical Assessment of Criminological Theories in Understanding Street Gangs

Introduction

Street gangs are one of the most persistent and complex forms of organised criminal behaviour in contemporary societies. They are often associated with violence, drug trade, and social disorder. To understand their emergence and persistence, criminologists have turned to multiple theoretical frameworks. This essay critically examines how Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory contribute to our understanding of street gangs. While Strain Theory highlights the structural pressures and inequalities that push individuals towards crime, Social Learning Theory explains how gang membership and behaviour are learned and reinforced through interaction with peers.

Knowledge and Understanding of Criminological Theories

Strain Theory (Merton, 1938) argues that crime results from the disjunction between culturally prescribed goals (e.g., wealth, success) and the means available to achieve them legally. In contexts of poverty, unemployment, and exclusion, individuals may experience “strain” and turn to illegitimate means such as gangs to access material or symbolic success.

Social Learning Theory (Akers, 1973) posits that criminal behaviour is learned through association, reinforcement, and imitation. Gangs provide an environment where norms that favour criminal behaviour are transmitted, reinforced, and rewarded.

Critical Analysis of Context

The persistence of street gangs cannot be understood in isolation from broader social, cultural, political, and historical contexts.

• Social and economic inequality: Strain Theory explains why urban environments characterised by unemployment and deprivation (e.g., inner-city London, Los Angeles) produce higher levels of gang activity. The lack of opportunities pushes young people towards gangs as alternative routes for respect, income, and belonging.

• Cultural identity and belonging: Social Learning Theory explains how street gangs become subcultures. In historically marginalised communities (such as African American or Latino communities in the US), gangs have sometimes evolved as responses to systemic exclusion and racism.

• Political neglect and policing: Over-policing, racial profiling, and punitive policies often strengthen gang identity rather than weaken it, further reinforcing the dynamics described by Social Learning Theory.

• Historical migration and urbanisation: Many gangs emerged in post-industrial cities where economic restructuring left communities vulnerable. Both theories capture how structural inequalities (strain) and peer influence (learning) reproduce these patterns across generations.

Compare and Contrast

Both Strain Theory and Social Learning Theory offer insights into the phenomenon of street gangs, but they differ in focus:

• Strain Theory is macro-level, emphasising structural inequalities and blocked opportunities. It explains why gangs emerge in particular social contexts.

• Social Learning Theory is micro-level, focusing on socialisation processes and peer reinforcement. It explains how individuals are recruited into gangs and sustain criminal behaviour.

• Together, these theories provide a complementary perspective: Strain explains the “push” factors (why individuals are vulnerable), while Social Learning explains the “pull” factors (why gangs attract and retain members).

However, both have limitations. Strain Theory risks overgeneralising poverty as a cause of crime, ignoring those who face deprivation but do not join gangs. Social Learning Theory underestimates structural inequalities by focusing mainly on interpersonal influences. An integrated approach therefore offers a more robust understanding.

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