Sociological Analysis of Environmental Crimes in Fereydunkenar (Empirical Test of Neutralization Techniques Theory)

Document Type : Research

Authors

Seyed Ahmad Mirmohamad Tabar ¹

Maryam Sohrabi ²

¹ Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Arak University, Arak, Iran

² PhD in Sociology, Lecturer of the Department of Sociology, Arak University, Arak, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/social.2024.90091.1565

Abstract

Environmental crimes encompass a wide range of activities that violate environmental regulations, causing significant damage or risks to the ecosystem and human health. Illegal bird hunting remains one of the most critical environmental crimes both in Iran and in the world. The present study investigates the extent of illegal bird hunting in Fereydunkenar County, Mazandaran Province, utilizing the Theory of Techniques of Neutralization. This research employed a survey method, using a questionnaire for data collection. The statistical population consisted of urban residents over 15 years of age. A sample size of n=400 was determined using the Cochran formula, and stratified sampling was applied. According to the results, the mean illegal bird hunting is 17.2, which is a low figure. Hunting of kestrel recorded the highest mean at 2.35. It was followed by wild goose hunting with a mean of 2.24. Hunting of other wild birds scored the lowest mean at 1.86. The results of the multiple regression model suggested that the strongest predictors of the variable of illegal bird hunting are censure of the condemners (beta=0.42), high loyalty (beta=0.19), education (beta=-0.17) and denial of victim (beta=0.14), respectively. The coefficient of determination (R²) was estimated at 24%, indicating that independent variables explain nearly 24% of the variance in illegal hunting behavior. Overall, despite the low assessed rate of illegal hunting in Fereydunkenar, its persistence is primarily driven by hunters' reliance on neutralization techniques, particularly the censure of the condemners. Consequently, effective avian conservation calls for a movement beyond physical enforcement and focusing on adjusting crime-justifying beliefs and reforming cultural attitudes.
 
 
 
 

Keywords

Environmental Crime

Illegal Bird Hunting

Neutralization Techniques

Fereydunkenar

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