Culture Conflict and Crime

Author(s): Thorsten Sellin

Source: American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 44, No. 1 (Jul., 1938), pp. 97-103
Published by: The University of Chicago Press
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2768125
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CULTURE CONFLICT AND CRIME'

THORSTEN

SELLIN

Whenin I935 theSocial ScienceResearchCouncilappointedProfessor

E. H. Sutherlandand the authorto constitutea subcommittee
on delinquencyof the Council'sCommitteeon Personalityand Culture,the
Council was merelyapplyingan experimentaltechniqueof researchplanningalreadyinstitutedby the appointmentof a subcommittee
on
co-operativeand competitivehabits and one on acculturation.The
generalplan of workforthesecommittees
has been presentedearlierin
this Journal,2and the productsof the labors of the committeeon cooperationand competitionhave been in printforsome time.3Briefly
was to view the accumulatedknowledge
statedeach of the committees
bearingon somerestricted
problemorclusterofproblemsin a largerfield,
to attemptto evaluateits validityfromthepointofviewofscience,and,
havingdiscoveredwhat may be regardedas establishedknowledge,to
suggestresearchquestiontheanswersto whichwouldadvancesomewhat
the frontiers
of scientific
on delinquency
knowledge.The subcommittee
choseforits problemthatofcultureconflict
and its rolein thecausation
of crime.The reportof the committeepreparedby the presentwriter
and entitledCrimeand CultureConflict
is now in pressand willappear
as a bulletinof the Social ScienceResearchCouncil.It openswithan
introductory
chapter,"Criminology
and the Way of Science,"in which
an attemptis made to statethecriteriain thelightofwhichcriminological researchesshouldbe examined.The secondchapter,"A Sociological
Approachto the Study of Crime Causation," attemptsto utilizethe
criteriamentionedin an effort
to furnish
criminological
researchwitha
I [This paper is based on a researchmemorandum
of the same title by Dr. Sellin,
plannedforpublicationin Juneof thisyear by the Social Science Research Council as
Bull. 41 in its series. The researchsuggestionshereincludedhave been takenfromthe
manuscriptof this memorandum.-EDITOR.]
2
Donald Young, "A Note on Procedurein the Planning of Research," American
JournalofSociology,XLII (July,1936), 95-99.
3 Mark A. May and Leonard Doob, Researchon Competition
and Cooperation,
Bull.
No. 25 (New York: Social Science Research Council, 1937); GordonAllport,Gardner
Murphy,Mark May, et al., Memorandumon Researchin Competition
and Cooperation
(mimeographed)(New York: Social Science Research Council, 1937), p. 395. Mark
A. May, "A Research Note on Co-operativeand Competitive Behavior," Amnerican
JournalofSociology,XLII (May, 1937), 887-91.

97

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98

THE AMERICAN JOURNALOF SOCIOLOGY

foundation
moreconsistent
withthedemandsofsciencethanis thecriminal law with its formalistic,
one-sided,and variable definitions.This
chaptersketchesthe outlineofa scienceof "etiology"and triesto show
how criminological
researchesfitinto the moreinclusiveframework
for
researcheson "abnormalconduct."A chapteron researchprocedures,
whichanalyzestheinterdependence
ofthecase "method"and thestatistical "method"of investigation
is followedby a finalchapteron "The
Conflictof ConductNorms."
The finalchapteranalyzesthemeaningoftheconceptofcultureconflictas presentedby social theorists,
reviewsthe researcheson "culture
conflict
and delinquency,"
and concludesas follows:
We have triedto showthattheconceptofcultureconflict
has beenso
formulated
by somescholarsthatall sociologicalresearchon crimecausationmaybe conductedwithinits framework.
This is its weaknessas an
operationalconcept.We have notedthat in the studyof conductit is
necessaryto thinkof cultureconflictas a conflict
ofconductnorms,that
such conflictmay arise as a resultof a processof groupdifferentiation
withina culturalsystemor area, or as a resultofcontactbetweennorms
drawnfromdifferent
culturalsystemsor areas,and thatwe may study
all suchconflicts
eitherby theinvestigation
ofpersonsin whomtheconflictis assumedto be internalized
or by a studyof violationsin groups
or areas withinwhichit is assumedthat such conflicts
occur. We have
ofnormsofdivergent
furthermore
stressedthatthestudyoftheconflicts
culturalsystemswouldbe especiallyvaluablein thisconnection.Finally,
an analysisof somestudieswhichhave been concernedwiththe roleof
"cultureconflict"in the causationof legal violationshas shownus that
we have no clearpictureof thiscausativeelement.Furtherresearchis
obviouslyneeded.
SOME RESEARCH

SUGGESTIONS

Sincewe are concernedwiththe roleof theconflict

ofconductnorms
in the etiologyof normviolations,it becomesobvious that we must
establishin the personsor groupsstudied(i) the existenceof a norm
conflict(withinpersonality,
withina culturalgroup,or betweennorms
of twogroups)and (2) the violationof a norminvolvedin thisconflict
beforewe can determine
oftheviolationto thepresence
therelationship
of the conflict.Whereno normconflictexistsviolationof the unique
normgoverningsuch a life-situation
mustbe explainedin otherterms.
The natureoftheconflict
mustbe determined.If,forinstance,we should

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CULTURE CONFLICT AND CRIME

99

attemptto discoverthe relationshipto delinquencyof the conflictof

groupfrom
normswhichmay be assumedto arise whenan immigrant
anothercontinentsettleson our shores,we shouldlike to know (i) the
characterof the receivinggroup'slegal normswhichthismigrantgroup
is expectedto obey; (2) whetheror not theselegal normsare also legal
or nonlegalnormsin the migrantgroup(ifthe migrantgrouppossesses
legal or nonlegalnormsidenticalwiththe legal normsof the receiving
groupno normconflict
exists);(3) ifthemigrant
grouppossessesno norms
coveredby the law of the receiving
at all governingthe life-situation
can occureither,but in suchan instanceit
group(ifso, no normconflict
groupofthe
maybe permissible
to considertheviolationsby themigrant
law of the receivinggroupas relatedto what mightbe called cultural
unilateralism);
(4) the characterof the normconflict:(a) does it occur
onlybetweenlegal normsidenticalin both groupsand an antagonistic
is conconductnormpeculiarto the migrantgroup? (If so, the conflict
finedwithinthelattergroup);(b) doesit occurbetweenlegalnormswhich
forthe two groupsalthoughthe nonlegalconductnorms
are different
in questionare identicalinbothgroups?(If
governing
the life-situation
so, a conflictoflaws or oflegal normsis involved);(c) does it occurbetweena nonlegalconductnormin the migrantgroupand a legal norm
in the receivinggroup,the formerpossessingno legal normgoverning
involved?We would,then,be compelledto analyzethe
thelife-situation
violationsofthelegalnormsofthereceiving
groupby themigrantgroup
in the lightof the variousformsof conflictindicated. Furthermore,
in
the studyoftherelationof violationsto processesofacculturationand
inculturation
whichbeginto operateas soonas themigrantgroupsettles
would
have to considerthe resolutionof the conflictor its
we
down,
in relationto retardingor acceleratingfactorspeculiar
intensification
to the migrantgroupby virtueof its social statusas definedby the rein such a studyare clearto all
ceivinggroup.The technicaldifficulties
carefulstudents.The groupsstudiedmustbe composedwiththeutmost
measuredwith
care; theirconductnormsexaminedand theirviolations4
equal care. Adequate controlgroupsmustbe used. Much moreeffort
mustgo intotheplanningoftheresearchthanhas customarily
been the
case. Some of the most elaborateresearchesin criminology
have been
characterized
byextensivetechnicalanalysesofdata drawnfrommaterial
4 Cf. the analysis of the probleminvolved in the measurementof legal violations
in the writer'schapteron "The Index Question," ResearchMemorandutm
on Crimein
theDepression,Bull. 27 (New York: Social Science Research Council, 1937), pp. Vii,
'33.

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100

THE AMERICAN JOURNALOF SOCIOLOGY

that
classification
assembledon thebasis ofsucha carelesslyformulated
thefinalresultshave beenmeaningless.
CROSS-SECTIONAL

STUDIES

socialgroups
studiesoftypicalnormswhichindifferent
i. Comparative
involving,forinstance,the defenseof
governconductin life-situations
personalhonor,the takingoflife,the relationof the sexes,maritalrelaof the property
the appropriation
relationships,
tionships,parent-child
etc. Such questions
ofothers,therelationsofthepersonto government,
would arise: What extra-legaland legal normsgovern
as the following
amongthesenormsrelatedto the
thesesituationsand how are conflicts
associatedwithcertain
violationsof the legal norms?Are such conflicts
more than with others?Is the intensityof the conflict
life-situations,
greaterin some situationsthan in others?What conditionsare related
to thepresenceor absenceofconflict?
socialgroupsin orderto establish
2. Comparativestudiesof different
with
all or specificnormswhichwithineach typeofgroupare in conflict
The
norms
of
some
other
would
or
the
purpose
group.
one another with
their
be to determinethe natureand the intensityof such conflicts,
theconditions
associatedwiththepresence
to law violations,
relationships
criminalgroup
etc. For instance,theprofessional
or absenceofconflicts,
in conflictwiththe law, miwhichpossessesnormcomplexesdefinitely
cultureareas,and occupational,professional,
grantgroupsfromdifferent
racialgroups,etc.,mightbe so studied.Specificproblems
trade,religious,
mightbe attacked,suchas thefollowing:
ofa migrant
a) It has beengenerallyheldthatthesecondgeneration
groupis moredelinquentthan the receivinggroupand that this is in
part, at least, due to "cultureconflict."Many studiesare needed to
to the
ofsuchdelinquency
thenature,extent,and relationship
determine
betweenparentalnormsand thenormsofthesecondgeneration.
conflict
(i) If otherfactorsthanparentageare held constant,is the secondgenimmigrant
group
migrant,
group(rural-urban
migrant
erationofa specific
froma specificculturearea) moredelinquentthana controlgroupofdifrate in manystatesfor
ferentparentage?(2) Is the lowercommitment
stockassociatedwithdifferences
in
the secondgenerationof immigrant
in the social environment?
culturaloriginof parentsor withdifferences
by suchlowcommit(3) Whyis themixedparentagegroupcharacterized
mentrates?Untilrecentlythisgroupwas assumedto have the highest
betweenthe normsof the parents.Are
rates,owingin part to conflicts
all typesof mixedmarriagesinvolvedor are somemoreprovocativeof

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CULTURE CONFLICT AND CRIME

IOI

conflicts
thanare others,and, ifso, are the childrenoftheselattermore
likelyto be delinquentthanthoseoftheformer?As mixedmarriagesin
thisconnectionwe mightwellconsidernot onlythemarriageofpersons
of different
nationalityor different
racesbut of different
culturallevels
or groups.
b) It has been claimedthata personwho is maladjustedto his social
groupis also likelyto be maladjustedto the largercommunity.
This is
notlikelyto be trueunderall conditions.Studiesshouldbe madeto show
thelimitswithinwhichthegeneralization
is accurate.
c) The same holdstrueforthe claimthat a well-organized,
homogeneous social grouprestrainsits members,therebyholdingdelinquency
withinthegroupat a low leveland causingthosewhocommitviolations
to do so outsidethegrouporinassociationwithnonmembers
ofthegroup.
d) If twogroups(rural-urban,
different
migrantgroups,etc.) possess
the same legal normsbut widelydifferent
rates of violationsof those
norms,is the difference
relatedto more or strongerconflictsbetween
extra-legal
and legalnormsin theonegroupthanin theotheror to other
factors?
e) Does a selectedsample of a migrantgroupreveal throughcase
studiesmorenormconflicts
thandoes an appropriatecontrolgroupcomof
from
the receivinggroupor the homegroup?
posed personsdrawn
in
exist thetypeand themotivations
ofviolations
f) Whatdifferences
committed
by ruralgroupsas comparedwithurbangroupsin the same
culture,as manyfactorsas possibleheldconstant?
g) The same questionmay be raised in comparingmigrantgroups
withcontrolgroupsin thehomearea and in the receivingarea.
h) Are laws whichcontainwidelyacceptednormsmorefrequently
obeyedthanthosethathave onlyminority
support?Do membersofthe
minorityin such instancesviolate the law more frequently
than the
others?
i) Is themigrantgroupmoredelinquentimmediately
afterthemigrationthanbefore?
j) Is the migrantgroupmoredelinquentin the receivingarea thana
controlgroupthatremainedat home?These questions(i andj) maybe
answeredby studiesofspecific
migrant(forinstance,rural-urban)
groups
withina country,etc. Conflictsof normsmustbe segregated
fromsuch
otherfactorsas differentials
in age and sex distribution,
economicstatus,
in explainingtheviolationrates.
etc.,whichmaybe moreimportant
k) We need morestudiesof socialgroupswho exhibita minimumof
normconflicts.Who commitviolationsof normswithinsuch groups?

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THE AMERICAN JOURNALOF SOCIOLOGY

I02

Is it thosewho have had mostextra-group

contacts,the migrantfrom
othergroups,thebiologicaldeviate? Studiesofgroupswithhomogeneous
normsin this connectionshouldaid in understanding
the problemsof
normheterogeneity.
HISTORICAL

STUDIES

The conflictwhichoccurswhenthe legal normsof one groupare

extendedover areas formerly
not cognizantof them,may be assumed
to induceviolationsof thesenormsby personslivingin the subjected
area. Exceptforcasual references
in ethnographic
works,workson colonial jurisprudence,
etc., littleis knownof the processesand the effects
of the conflictreferred
to. Unfortunately,
studieson problemsinvolved
herewouldordinarily
have to be made longafterthe momentwhenthe
extensionof jurisdictiontook place. Nevertheless,
lighton the role of
and its resolution
normconflict
couldno doubtbe gainedfromhistorical
theextension
researches
ofBritishlaw in India; French,Italian,
involving
British,and Belgian law in Africa;Spanishlaw in South and Central
America;the law of the UnitedStates overAmericanIndians,Hawaii,
Samoa,etc.
2. Do migrants
becomemorecriminalor less criminalthelongerthey
residein the receivingarea? How is thisrelatedto the typeof area of
originand the typeof receivingarea? How is it relatedto thecharacter
of the violationand the type of normviolated?Is the processmore
rapidin sometypesofreceivingareas thanin others?
3. It has been statedthat normconflicts
may be endogenousor exogenous,i.e., theymay arise withina group whichundergoesmoreor
less rapidsocio-economic
transformations
as a resultof theeffects
ofinventions,a varietyof environmental
pressures,etc., whichcreatenew
life-situations
socialdefinition,
or theymaybe introduced
requiring
from
withoutthe group.In the processof the culturalchangewhichany
migrantgroupundergoesin the receivingarea, whatrolein the conduct
is playedbynormconflict
ofitsmembers
spontaneously
developedwithin
thegroupas comparedwiththoseofexogenousnature?
4. What normpatternsin the migrantgroupshowthe greatestreAre theyrootedin specifictypesof
sistenceto changeor modification?
lifesituationsor associatedwithspecifictypesofinstitutions?
Conversely, whichnormsare mosteasilymodifiedand whichare not? In what
manneris thispersistence
ofnormsrelatedto violationsofthenormsof
the receiving
group?
5. It is claimedthat ruralratesof normviolationstendto approach
i.

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CULTURE CONFLICT AND CRIME

I03

the urban rates as definitely

rural areas are invaded by antagonistic
normsgrowingout oftheheterogeneous
urbanculture.Is thistrue?
6. It is claimedthatviolationratesby themigrantgrouptendto be
higherforthosewholive on theborderofor betweencultureareas,since
conflictsof normswould be most intensiveor would firstarise there
ratherthanintheinterior
ofthemigrant
area. Thisclaimrequiresfurther
investigation
notonlyforlanguageor cultureareas in variouscommunitiesin theUnitedStateswithdivergent
migrantgroups,but in European
countriesand even in the bordercountiesof our states in the case of
forinstance,whichcarrydifferent
offenses,
penaltiesin the two states
involved.
7. The secondgenerationof migrantparentageis said to approach
thereceivinggroupin typeand motivationofviolationsratherthanthe
to showthe effectof a disappearance
parentgroup.This is interpreted
oftheconflict
ofnormsassumedto accountforthetypeand motivation
of offenses
committedby the parentgroup.Veryfewstudiesexist on
thisproblem.To what degreeis the difference
due to age differentials
inthetwogroups?sHow do violationrates,bytypeofoffense
and motivation,of the secondgenerationof migrantstockcomparewiththe violations,etc.,by a control
groupin theplace of theparents'origin?
8. If migrantswithgivennormssettleamongpeople withdifferent
norms,the conductof the lattershouldin the life-situation
concerned
be affectedif theybecomeacquaintedwiththe migrant'snorms.Does
thisactuallyhappen?Hithertono studiesknownto the authorappear
to have paid attentionto thisproblem.
9. Related to the above questionis the following:When a homogeneousgroup,suchas a ruralgroup,inculturates
conflicting
norms,do
violationsof the old normsrise? Conversely,when in a group with
normscertainnormsachieve increasingdominance,do
heterogeneous
theirviolationsdecline?
These researchsuggestionsare offeredin the hope that they will
stimulateinquiry.They are offered
withdiffidence
to scholarswhomay
from
them
be
some
direct
aid
or
who
able
to drawfromthem
gain
may
otherideasforappropriate
researchprojectswhichwillin theiraggregate
givegreaterprecisionto ourknowledgeoftheetiologyofabnormalconduct.
UNIVERSITY

OF PENNSYLVANIA

S Cf. Donald Taft, "Nationality and Crime," Amer.Soc. Rev., I (October, I936),
724-36.

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