Research Paper on:
Criminology Theory Glossary

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their own behaviors in order to satisfy basic needs. It is somewhat akin to Maslows hierarchy of needs. Indeed, this theory is somewhat similar but goes further to differentiate people  by their specific genetic variables. Generally speaking, people will make choices to satisfy their biological needs and so, in some way, one can say that they make the best choices.  The strength of this theory is that it relies on science to explain behavior. Everyone knows that people crave certain foods due to a lack of particular vitamins in  the system. This same idea can be related to behavior choices as well. However, the theory has weaknesses as biology cannot explain all types of behavior. 2.  Trait Theory Allport (1937) contends that a trait is a part of the neuropsychic system and specific to the individual. It has the capacity to render many stimuli  functionally equivalent, as well as to initiate and guide equivalent types of adaptive as well as expressive behaviors (1937). This theory renders all people unique and each and every individual  has different traits from another. The strength of this theory is that it can explain variables. There are behaviors that seem to go unexplained based on ordinary criminological theory. Trait  theory provides new explanations for odd behavior. At the same time, the theory is not complete as it does not account for patterns of behavior, something that would contradict the  theory that contends individual traits are the causes of behavior. 3. Social Disorganization Theory The term social disorganization refers to an explanation of deviance as well  as a state of society which produces it ("Criminological," 1997). It relies on an explanation of deviance in terms of social norms and community activities (1997). Crime is viewed