Some criminologists suggest that crime is caused not so much by human choice but by inherited and uncontrollable biological and psychological traits. Today, biocriminologists are attempting to link physical traits with tendencies toward violence, aggression, and other antisocial behavior. The view that criminals may be suffering from psychological abnormalities or stress has also had a long history. Sociological Theories Sociological criminology is usually traced to the pioneering work of Emile Durkheim, who viewed crime as a social phenomenon. As the field of sociological criminology emerged in the twentieth century, greater emphasis was placed on environmental conditions.
Most criminologists conclude that poverty and crime indeed are related.
Conflict Theory Conflict theory views the economic and political forces operating in society as the fundamental causes of criminality. The criminal law and criminal justice system are seen as vehicles for controlling the poor. Conflict theorists devote their research efforts to exposing discrimination and class bias in the application of laws and justice. Integrated Theories To derive more powerful and robust explanations of crime, some criminologists are now integrating individual factors into complex theories that attempt to blend seemingly independent concepts into coherent explanations of criminality. Theories of Victimization For many years, criminological theories focused on the actions of the criminal offender and virtually ignored the role of the victim.