Understanding Crime: Factors, Theories, and Trends in Spain

Integrative Theoretical Models of Crime

The Theory of Stress, Social Control, and Social Learning

These authors propose two paths that may lead to criminal behavior. The first, and likely the most common, begins with a weak link to conventional society. This is coupled with negative experiences that foster proximity to and involvement with groups engaged in criminal activity. The second path starts with a strong link to conventional society, but this link is weakened by various experiences and failures in achieving socially prescribed goals. These experiences may include limited opportunities, negative labeling, and conflicts within the family or community. Consequently, this leads to contact with and joining groups of offenders.

Links or controls are divided into two categories:

• External: Defined as integration (attachment to and participation in social institutions).
• Internal: Classified as commitment (internal bond to conventional roles, groups, and institutions).

Learning how to commit crimes, associating with groups that value this activity, and having the structure to put it into practice are necessary elements that enhance delinquent behavior in young people. If these elements are absent, young people, regardless of whether they have strong or weak social bonds, will likely cease their criminal activity soon, as there will be no mechanism to help them maintain that behavior.

The Theory of Stress, Inadequate Socialization, and Social Disorganization

These factors are seen as precursors to developing weak ties to social norms and institutions. This, in turn, leads to association with peers who already exhibit deviant behavior or are criminals.

Crime as the Result of Various Situations During an Individual's Development

Lack of attachment to parents is a determining factor in criminal behavior among adolescents aged 11 to 13. Meanwhile, a lack of links with peer groups and school has a negative influence on boys aged 15 to 16. At this age, delinquent values gain greater significance, especially as causal factors of continued criminal conduct. Between 18 and 20, the most influential circumstances are a lack of commitment to and involvement in conventional activities such as work, college, or military service.

Theories of Life Stages

According to these theories, behavior evolves throughout an individual's development and growth. Therefore, it cannot be said that there is a stable propensity to crime among certain individuals. Various structural factors influence this evolution and variability, including family socioeconomic status, biological and psychological elements, and opportunities for crime. Factors influencing behavior change throughout life, from family relationships to peer groups and school, to relationships and influences at work. Thus, some young people commit few or minor crimes, while others continue to commit crimes over the years, and their violations become more serious.

Interpretation of the Main Graph: Problems Currently Existing in Spain, 2004

There was a decrease in concern about insecurity between March and April 2004.

Additional Notes

• Created among the population by the abruptness of the modus operandi, usually a man, although young.
• Although a relationship between young men in unemployment and crime was sought, the relationship is not linear.
• Drug consumption does not currently have a marked impact on the evolution of crime, as it did in other eras.