Theories of White Collar Crime - Essay Example

Theories of Crime affiliation There are criminological theories that explain white collar crimes that refer to violations of law that are violated in the course of legitimate occupation especially by people who hold positions of power. This essay discusses factors related to white collar crime and its related theories. A clear understanding is drawn from systematic review of various primary sources.Theories of White Collar Crime Edwin Sutherland first analyzed white-collar crime in 1939 where he analyzed an understanding of the relationship of business and crime.

However, white-collar crime is criticized for having unrelated behavior that is too diverse (Friedrichs, 2009). Objectives of white-collar crime are considered as financial gain and organizational success. White-collar crime is committed by persons in high social positions who do so as part of their jobs. They do not involve violence and mostly are money related, and this may include embezzlement, business fraud, and bribery. The theory of conflict theory looks at the types of crime committed by two classes’ in the society.

Members of the elite are more likely to commit such crimes as compared to the working class who are more likely o commit crimes like robbery, assault, and murder (Clinard, 2010). White-collar crimes are usually had to prosecute and catch and sometimes hard to identify. White-collar criminals use their power to avoid prosecution. People in power make rules and laws to benefit themselves. The conflict theory in relation to deviance when such people are accused of such crime they usually have the means and power to hire accountants ,lawyers, and people to help them avoid prosecution and may be referred to as deviant.

The society itself believes that all laws are fair and are applied fairly, and, therefore, the society does not dwell on the fact that such laws can be unfairly applied, or it might be just. The differential association is a theory that deals with a white-collar crime that explains that behaviors are based on association and interaction with others. Edwin Sutherland proposed this theory (Friedrichs, 2009). This means that through interaction with other people learn values, motives and techniques that form criminal is behavior.

It predicts that individuals can choose a criminal path when law abiding is lesser than law-breaking when it comes to rules. However, this theory fails to note that even with association and interaction people can be independent, individually motivated, and rational and, therefore, can avoid criminal behavior. The rational choice theory explains on both economic and social aspects of human behavior. Rationality refers to the association of wanting more rather than doing well. It explains that acts by individuals measures the benefit against costs to get to the final action that uses personal advantage (Clinard, 2010).

It elaborates that criminals have rational decisions in committing crime especially after reviewing rational decisions in committing crimes and checking all outcomes and possibilities. This theory also refers to criminals checking the bad sides of criminality like imprisonment. White-collar criminals consider all chances and choose to siphon their areas at different intervals. This theory shows that white-collar criminals weigh all aspects of committing a crime especially imprisonment and any other outcomes.

Conclusion White-collar crime is committed in place of work by businesspersons and professional individuals. It becomes hard to prove white collar crime due to the individual involved know ways of avoiding of being caught and being prosecuted due to their knowledge and power. The three theories used to discuss white-collar crime that is; conflict theory, differential association, and rational choice theory establish that individuals can commit crime due a number of reasons especially due to the association and financial gain.

However, it is good to note that not all individuals in professional jobs end up committing white-collar crime since some individuals are rational and independent in their actions even when they are exposed to crime.ReferencesClinard, M. B., Quinney, R., & Wildeman, J. (2010). Criminal behavior systems: A typology. New York: Routledge.Clinard, M., & Yeager, P. (2011). Corporate crime (Vol. 1). New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.Friedrichs, D. (2009). Trusted criminals: White collar crime in contemporary society.

New York: Cengage Learning.