A television crime show or a movie that depicts a crime
choose an episode of a television crime show or a movie that depicts a crime and provide that information when writing your response.Then, choose two theories of crime and deviance. The remainder of this assignment asks you to look at the following when writing:
Pick two theories of crime and deviance from chapter 6 and use them to apply an analysis to your chosen TV crime show. Think about the ins and outs of the theories in order to show how each differently perceives the origins, causes of, impacts of and responses to crime and deviance. Use specific information (examples, scenes, characters, etc.) to provide ample evidence and remember that the cornerstone of good writing is found in providing adequate supporting details to solidify your claims and arguments. Underline your course terminology and remember that strong writing is best found in ensuring you provide your argument(s), so cite examples from both your chosen content (TV crime show/movie) and the theories you are choosing to apply it to.
Sample Solution
I recently watched the crime movie, Wind River (2017) directed by Taylor Sheridan which follows a US Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife agent, Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), who discovers the frozen body of an 18-year-old Native American girl on an Indian reservation in Wyoming. As he teams up with rookie FBI agent, Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen), to investigate her death further, they uncover a series of secrets and lies that ultimately lead them to solve the case. In terms of theories of crime and deviance from chapter 6, I found both strain theory as well as labeling theory to be applicable when attempting to analyze this story.
Strain Theory explains criminal behavior as being caused by negative social conditions or “strains” such as poverty and inequality; thus individuals engage in criminal activities due to their inability to achieve culturally sanctioned goals due to economic hardships or social exclusion they experience while growing up – something that is evident throughout the film (Messerschmidt & Tewksbury, 2019). During his investigation, Cory comes across numerous instances where members of the tribe suffer from lack of access not only financial resources but also basic necessities like food or shelter due inadequate funding for health care services provided at local hospitals. This makes it easy for viewers understand why some characters might resort illegal activities such as drug distribution just so that they can survive – even if stealing isn’t seen as acceptable behavior otherwise within their culture.
Labeling theory meanwhile suggests that individuals become criminals when society labels them based on their actions whether those are intentional or not; once labeled a particular way – often associated with minority communities – then any subsequent negative behavior is viewed through this lens instead (Lilly & Knepper 2016). This idea is highlighted during one scene in which Jane doesn’t believe people from town would ever commit crimes since everyone knows each other there. To support her claim she says: “I think you’re looking too hard…. It’s probably someone who came through here” – implying that those who come from outside reservations can get away with things more easily than locals do given how unfamiliar outsiders appear in comparison.
In conclusion, while two different theories were explored when analyzing Wind River namely Strain Theory and Labeling Theory – both offered unique perspectives into understanding how social disparities contribute towards causing criminal behaviors amongst underprivileged populations living within our societies today.
