Sociology and the theory of responsibility: 'social background' as an excuse for crime.

The concept of social abnormality can be given a fairly precise meaning and is relevant to the theory of legal responsibility. Much work, however, would need to be done before it could take its place alongside mental abnormality as an excusing condition in the courts. The implications of such a plea would, moreover, be far reaching, two of the more obvious being the individualization of excuses and the relinquishing of the general preventive possibilities of punishment.