Which theory posits that crime results from conflicts between groups in society?

• A. Biological Theory
• B. Social Conflict Theory
• C. Choice Theory
• D. Labeling Theory

Answer: (B)

Crime being driven by clashes between groups in society points to a perspective that sees laws and the enforcement system as instruments of power. This view argues that the dominant groups in a society shape norms, laws, and what counts as criminal, so crime emerges from ongoing social and economic conflicts among groups with unequal status and resources. In this framework, crime is less about an individual's isolated choice or biological makeup and more about how power and competition over resources produce rules that criminalize certain behaviors and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Historical roots trace to thinkers who highlighted how social order reflects the interests of those in power, which helps explain why some behaviors are labeled as crimes while others are tolerated. By focusing on intergroup conflict and structural inequality, this theory best accounts for why crime patterns emerge across different groups and are reinforced by the justice system. In contrast, biological theories emphasize biology, choice theories emphasize personal cost–benefit calculations, and labeling theories focus on how being tagged as deviant can shape identity and behavior, rather than the macro-level conflicts driving crime.