Major Criminology Theories - Essay Example

Question Cultural Transmission Theory: This paper tries to analyze how the theory of cultural transmission shapes the behavior of the main actor in the movie American History X. Cultural transmission theory explains how a human being acquires his or her behavior. According to this theory, human behavior comes as a result of the interaction of two different evolutionary processes (Kubrin, Dain, Elizabeth and Marvin, 27). This theory denotes that a deviant behavior occurs as a result of an interaction of an individual with groups that promote such kind of a behavior. This paper analyzes the evolution of the evolution of the characters of Derek, in view of the cultural transmission theory. In this movie, the views and characters of Derek are shaped by his neo-nazism beliefs. Derek is recruited into this group by Cameron Alexander, the neo-nazi leader. Alexander appoints him as the leader of the Caucasian kids. His role was to lead them against the Hispanic and the Black kids. Their attitude against them was shaped by the belief that these kids they lost their freedom and destiny to these people of different race. The Hispanics and the blacks were foreigners whose main aim was to exploit the resources of United States of America. On this basis therefore, Derek joined the group of the skinheads because of inequality in resource allocations, and he adapted their violent methods of agitating for their rights. The movie shows this by when he led a group of skinheads to destroy a Korean canteen. However, while in prison, Derek changes his ways of view. This is because he came to learn that there was a need of collaborating with each other, irrespective of race to survive. This is because of the inter-racial commerce that was pre-dominant in the prisons. The violent behaviors that Derek had were as a result of his failure of self-control, because he had already subdued the thieves, and he was not facing any threat. For instance, ordering the thief to open his mouth and busting his head with a bullet was a very cruel method of killing an individual. He could also control the manner in which he made his speech that had an effect of causing a violent mass action by the skin heads. The tone of his voice was harsh, and his words were full of incite. On this note, had Derek used some soft words, the riot that came as a result of the speech could not occur. It was possible for Derek to refuse the offer by Alexander, because he was not forced into joining the group. On this basis therefore, the behavior of Derek came as a result of his inability to control himself. One of the tenets of cultural transmission theory is the view that groups within the society are responsible for shaping the behavior of an individual (Kubrin, Dain, Elizabeth and Marvin, 33). The violent characteristics of Derek came as a result of his association with Alexander, the leader of the skinheads. The main philosophy of this group was violence against their opponents. It was racial in nature, and the same racial sentiments that it had, Derek managed to acquire them. The movie clearly shows these sentiments in a number of circumstances. The first is when he addressed a group of skinhead concerning the activities of the Hispanics, Blacks and other foreigners in the country. He denotes that their main aim was to steal from the country, and on this basis, they should not allow them to succeed. The presence of this group is also an indication that the cultural transmission theory can better explain the actions and thoughts of Derek. According to this theory, within a society, there exist some small sub-cultural groups. The theory further goes on to denote that some of these sub-cultural groups promote deviant behaviors. The skinhead was a sub-cultural group in the society where Derek was, and their ideologies were neo-nazism. Nazism was first used by Adolph Hitler as an ideology in Germany, and the ideology was a contributing factor in promoting racialism in Germany. It is the same ideology that the skinheads were advocating for. Racialism is a deviant behavior, which needs to come under condemnation. On this basis therefore, the cultural transmission theory is right when it denotes that sub-groups within a society can promote deviant behaviors (Kubrin, Dain, Elizabeth and Marvin, 17). Another tenet of the cultural transmission theory is the notion that as an individual moves from one group to another, he will develop different norms and values in order to survive. David’s change in character while in prison clearly depicts this belief. For purposes of satisfying their needs while in prison, prisoners of various races had to collaborate. For instance, the members of the Aryan Brotherhoods, a neo-Nazi group, had to trade with the Mexican narcotic dealers. To survive in this institution, Derek made friends with Black prisoners, a group that he hated. The cultural transmission theory explains better this change in behavior. According to the theory, David moved from one group, that of being a member of the skinhead, to another group, that of being a prisoner. Due to these changes therefore, Derek had to develop characters and norms that would enable him to survive while in prison. This movie has various examples of learned techniques, and one involves observation. Danny the brother of Derek manages to observe the character of his own brother and he sees a role model in him. For instance, Danny at one point was of the opinion that anybody who saw him; saw his brother. On this note, he decides to join the skinhead movement. His motivation of joining the movement is to get even with people of different races. In conclusion, we can denote that peer groups, the school and the family. Derrick is influenced by members of the skinhead group into joining the gang, and ascribing to its violent behavior. He is further influenced by his teacher, Mr. Sweeney into changing his racial hatred. He also plays a role in influencing his brother in joining the gang, and also coming out of the gang. On this note therefore, the producers of the movie have managed to use these agents of socialization to facilitate the cultural transmission of behavior. In order to break the modes of transmitting deviant behaviors from one generation to another, it is important to develop a curriculum that will teach students on the negative impacts and consequences of the behavior. It is also important for the government to initiate laws that will ban groups that advocate for deviant behaviors from existing. It is also important for parents and family members to act as good role models for their children/ or children under their care. Works Cited: Kubrin, Charis Elizabeth, Thomas Dain Stucky, and Marvin D. Krohn. Researching theories of crime and deviance. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More