The Theoretical Perspectives on Crime and White-Collar Crime

At first, one can mention rational choice theory according to which an individual is able to identify and weigh the positive and negative a certain decision. It implies that a person can perpetuate a white-collar crime if he/she believes that this decision will not produce any negative consequences. Additionally, it is necessary to mention the social control theory which postulates that an individual learns to control his/her behavior through socialization. For instance, this individual is not likely to act in a deviant manner, if he/she has bonds of affection or friendship for other people such as relatives, friends, or colleagues. To some degree, they can be regarded as role models whose behavior can be emulated. Nevertheless, people committing violent crimes can take an active part in social life. Moreover, their proclaimed values may not coincide with their real behavior.

Additionally, one can refer to the social learning theory which implies that people can adopt a certain behavior if they see that it is tolerated by community members. This model can be applied to deviance, including white-collar crime. For instance, people can perpetrate white-collar crimes if they see that their colleagues are engaged in illegal activities without facing any negative consequences. Additionally, one should speak about the interactionist theory of crime which postulates that a person constructs the idea of normal behavior by observing the reactions of other people and their perceptions of reality. In turn, an individual may come to the conclusion that white-collar crime is a part of the implicit norm.

Furthermore, one should remember about such a concept as labeling or stigmatization of individuals. For instance, some people can be continuously regarded as potential criminals, and they decide that deviant behavior is the only option available to them. Yet, this model is not fully applicable to white-collar criminals who do not suffer from stigmatization. Additionally, one should consider neutralization theory according to which criminals try to dismiss the importance of certain values and principles in order to justify their actions. Finally, structural strain theory implies that a person can commit crimes to order to reach the standards embedded in the culture. For instance, they can be driven by the need for success.