NCJ Number
38299
Journal
Monatsschrift fuer Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform Volume: 59 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1976) Pages: 282-295
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
PRESENTATION OF A SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY OF THE CAUSES OF PROPERTY CRIME WITH AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE THEORY BY EXAMINING THE SOCIAL BACKGROUNDS OF A SAMPLE OF THIEVES AND BURGLARS IN AN AUSTRIAN PRISON.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR COMBINES SUTHERLAND'S THEORY OF DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION AND MERTON'S THEORY OF ANOMIE TO DEVELOP HIS THEORY OF 'COGNITIVE BALANCE'. ACCORDING TO THIS CONCEPT A CRIME AGAINST PROPERTY WILL OCCUR WHEN A WISH FOR MATERIAL GOODS WHICH CANNOT BE OBTAINED LEGALLY BECOMES STRONGER THAN THE INHIBITION AGAINST OBTAINING THEM ILLEGALLY. EXAMINATION OF THE OFFENDERS' BACKGROUNDS INDICATES THAT SOCIALIZATION IN THE FAMILY, SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT, LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, AND ABILITY TO ESTABLISH CONTACTS WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX ARE AMONG THE FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE ATTITUDES TOWARDS PROPERTY. --IN GERMAN. SUMMARY IN ENGLISH