Page 6 - Flipbook: Sociology Shortcuts Issue 5: Situational Action Theory

Exposure

Criminogenic exposure refers to the extent to which individuals are
exposed to criminal temptations through two main sources:

1. Peer-group relationships

This has similarities to Sutherland’s notion of Differential Association and
holds that individuals who socialise with those, such as friends and
family, who are routinely and normally involved in various forms of
criminal behaviour have a higher-level of criminogenic exposure than
those who do not. This kind of routine exposure – or lack of same – EXPOSURE
impacts on the two dimensions of crime propensity we’ve previously
outlined in various ways. It may, for example, weaken levels of self-
control.

If crime is something everyone in our social circle routinely commits, it
makes it harder for us to
resist engaging in this
activity. Similarly, if the
significant others around
us – such as parents,
siblings and close friends
– see nothing unusual or
distasteful about petty
crime we’re highly likely
to incorporate this view
into our personal
morality.

2. Criminogenic settings Public Domain

This idea draws on both ecological In this respect, the presence or
theories of space, organisation absence of both formal and
and disorganisation and Control informal social controls in an area
Theories to argue that some social contributes to its criminogenic
spaces lend themselves to setting and the extent to which it
encouraging criminal behaviour. encourages – or at the very least
doesn’t actively discourage –
A simple example might be the
kinds of night-time city centre criminal behaviour.
areas, filled with bars, clubs and Individuals who routinely find
fast-food restaurants, that allow themselves in criminogenic
individuals and groups to move settings – either through choice
relatively anonymously through (self-selection) because they
such spaces. This anonymity represent exotic and exciting
combined with relatively lax social spaces, or by following the
controls – all kinds of behaviour choices made by their associates
that wouldn’t be expected or (social selection) – are much
tolerated elsewhere is either more-likely to engage in criminal
ignored or passed-off as normal – behaviour than peers who shun
lends itself to various forms of such spaces and associations.
deviant and criminal behaviours.

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