According to conflict theory, which of the following contributes significantly to crime?

Conflict theory, which is rooted in the works of Karl Marx and other theorists, posits that society is structured around power dynamics and the inequalities that arise from the competition for resources. According to this perspective, individuals who feel alienated from society—due to lack of access to resources, discrimination, or social exclusion—are more likely to engage in criminal behavior. This alienation creates a sense of disenfranchisement and can lead individuals to seek alternative avenues, including crime, as a means to express their frustrations or to fulfill their needs.

In contrast, emotional instability, social acceptance, and equitable resource distribution do not align with the core tenets of conflict theory regarding crime. Emotional instability might explain individual behaviors but does not directly address the broader societal structures that foster crime. Social acceptance tends to encourage conformity to societal norms rather than deviance, and equitable resource distribution would ideally reduce the inequities that lead to alienation and subsequently crime. Thus, alienation from society is a central factor highlighted by conflict theorists that helps clarify why individuals may turn to crime in the face of systemic inequalities.