A theoretical study on the importance of social values in crime prevention

In this thesis, the effect of social values on crime prevention was evaluated. Crime, is a universal phenomenon that can be found in all types of society in the historical course. Although its existence is universal, there is no universally accepted definition of crime. This situation shows that the crime phenomenon develops depending on the current socio-cultural structure. All kinds of changes and transformations in the social structure indirectly affect the existence, diversity and amount of crime. The rate of spread and intensity of the changes that occurred in the transition of societies from the traditional structure to the modern structure has been different from many types of societies. Social values and norms, which form the basis of the coexistence of societies, have also been affected by this rapid change. This study focuses on the effect of values on the prevention of crimes in order to ensure social order and harmony. In this context, first of all, the social order and the structure and elements that provide this order were examined. In the next section, conceptual and theoretical definitions of crime phenomenon are made and crime prevention strategies are evaluated. In general, this study is based on control theories approaching the crime phenomenon on a micro scale. These theories argue that the existence and functionality of formal and informal mechanisms in society control the behavior of the individual. As a result, it can be said that the values in the social structure have a preventive effect on some types of crime, depending on the determinant of behaviors.