2. Strain Theory suggests that discord in the goals a person has and what actual resources one has to attain that goal is the main reason for crime CITATION Sie07 1033 (Siegel, 2007). Richard Ramirez fits into this theory because he started his killing over disappointment that a woman did not have anything of value to steal which was how he supported himself. His first murder was just a burglary gone awry. He then went on to the following year to become a serial killer claiming 12 more lives in the span of one year.
3.
4. Relative Deprivation Theory says harsh divisions between the upper and lower classes cause feelings of jealousy and suspicion, which gives the criminal notions of disgrace by the upper class, thereby causing the criminal to have desires to disgrace them in return.
5. General Strain Theory maintains that it is not one type of strain but individuals reacting to several individualized strains at once are more likely to commit crime.
9. Whether the behavior is positive or negative, prejudiced explanation of behavior is required.The theory also works off the assumption that once one is labeled, as for example, a pothead, meaning a person who smokes marijuana, the rest of their life will follow suit as a pothead with all of the social stigmatization that follows that association. It also suggests that lawmakers can change what deems an act to be illegal, to suit their own needs, as was the case with marijuana CITATION Sie07 1033 (Siegel, 2007).<br />Labeling theory seems to work best with serial killers, because of the nature of the crimes. Almost all serial killers have some deviant desires with maybe the exception of German serial killers who kill more for money and items rather than sexual gratification, or perversion. According to the theory once, you are labeled, you are always considered to be labeled as such. CITATION Sie07 1033 (Siegel, 2007)<br />Works Cited BIBLIOGRAPHY Bell, R. (n.d.). Ted Bundy: The Early Years. Retrieved March 08, 2010, from Tru TV Crime Library: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/2.htmlClark Prosecutor. (n.d.). John Wayne Gacy. Retrieved March 04, 2010, from John Wayne Gacy: Executed May 10, 1994 at 12:58 a.m. by Lethal Injection in Illinois: www.clarkprosecutor.orgFrontline. (1997-1998, Winter). Busted: America's War on Marijuana. Retrieved February 23, 2010, from Dr. David F. Musto Interview: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/NBC/MSNBC. (n.d.). Seung-Hui Cho. Retrieved February 08, 2010, from http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/Virginia_Tech_massacre?fwd=1&qpvt=va+tech+massacre&src=abop&q=va+tech+massacreOffice of National Drug Control Policy. (2006, July 19). ONDCP Drug Policy Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet. Retrieved February 23, 2010, from Drug Use Trends October 2002: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/druguse/Panel, V. T. (2009, November 15). Mass Shootings at Virginia Tech Addendum to the report of the review panel,presented to Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved February 11, 2010Pumroy, D. K. (2007). What Caused the Tragedy at Virginia Tech? (J. Wyatt, Ed.) Behavior Analysis Digest International , 19 (2), pp. 5-7.Reagan, T. (2009, March). Marijuana Incorporated: Inside America's Pot Industry. Retrieved February 23, 2010, from Marijuana Incorporated: Inside America's Pot Industry: http://www.cnbc.com/id/28281668Schaffer Library of Drug Policy. (n.d.). Library Resources. Retrieved February 23, 2010, from Schaffer Library of Drug Policy: http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/index.HTMSiegel, L. (2007). Criminology: The Core (Third ed.). Belmont, CA, United States: Cenegage Learning.<br />
![Running Header: Social Construction: A Study of Theory<br />Social Construction:<br />A Study of Theory<br />Elizabeth Hall<br />Kaplan University<br />Deviance & Violence CJ266<br />Melissa Amaya<br />March 09, 2010<br />Social Construction: A Study of Theories<br />In our modern society, advances in technology and science have propelled the study of crime into new frontiers. While the actual study of crime dates back to earlier decades, these advances have put crime data and the study of it into the forefront of our society. Criminologists devote their life to assessing, comprehending, restraining, and helping lawmakers to prevent criminal and deviant acts. Not all criminal acts are deviant, and likewise all deviant acts are not criminal. Serial killers with the nature of their crimes cross both categories due to the violence associated with the crimes, the recidivism of the crimes, and the deviant nature of most serial killers even though the particular deviance varies per killer. These can include but are not limited to cannibalism, dismemberment, necrophilia, and sadism. Criminological Theories that began in the mid 1800’s have been developed and tested over time. With each new advance in technology, the methods of testing these theories become more exact. In this essay we will discuss the various Social Construction Theories that today’s criminal justice system uses to control and prevent criminals such as serial killers from committing their crimes. These consist of the social structure, social class, social process, neutralization, social control, and labeling theories CITATION Sie07 1033 (Siegel, 2007).<br />Social Structure Theory<br />Social Structure Theory reasons that the socioeconomic forces drive those in underprivileged financial situations to commit crime, and that this is the reason for crime. This group of theories consists of three theories: <br />,[object Object]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/unit9hallelizabethsocialconstructionessay-12696710892286-phpapp01/85/unit-9-hall-elizabeth-social-construction-essay-1-320.jpg)
