I feel that the integrated theory is not only important, but very useful in today’s Criminal Justice System because it allows for the merging (or attempts to merge) concepts drawn from different sources (Pearson. 2015). Integration made it possible to see things from a three-dimensional point of view. Don C. Gibbons, a professor of Sociology at Portland State University, stated, “The basic idea of theoretical integration is straightforward; it concerns the combinations of single theories or elements of those theories into a more comprehensive argument. At the same time, it would be good to not that in practice; integration is a matter of degree; some theorist has combines or integrated more concepts or theoretical elements than have others (Pearson. 2015). A main sociological problem concerns the process by which deviant or criminal behavior is controlled by the larger society. Although most would agree that social interaction is an important locus of control of crime and delinquency, criminological theory has not stressed the interactional mechanisms of social control. Gregg Barka notes that, “An Integrative criminology seeks …show more content…
2015). In using the integrative theory, you can use a wider prospective in the explanation than that a more narrower theory. This type of integration can be further classified into one of three possible sub-types based upon the way in which the constituent theoretical propositions are linked together: up-and-down or deductive integration, side-by-side or parallel/horizontal integration, and end-to-end or sequential integration (Wiley & Sons. 2014. Ltd. All). Much of the recent developments in criminological theory can be characterized as attempts to infuse ideas from different fundamental theories into an integrated theory. The intent of such efforts is to provide a more complete and reasonable explanation of crime or delinquent behavior. Although this would seem to be a creditable goal, researchers do not agree on the facts of theoretical integration. Some feel that it is better to have theories contend with one another. The result of the competition would then conclude which theoretical perspective would be practiced and which would be put aside. Others are concerned with the incapacity of integrated theories to remain true to different and often competing assumptions of the constituent theories. Despite these concerns, the quest for a more satisfactory explanation of criminal behavior through the development of theories integrating concepts and