SOC-325 Final Exam

Social Strain Theory

Theory suggesting that societal pressures can lead individuals to engage in delinquency when they cannot attain culturally appropriate goals.

Anomie

A breakdown of social norms, values, and expectations within a society.

Individual Adaptation Types

Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion.

General Strain Theory

Theory that identifies factors such as magnitude, recency, and duration of strain affecting individual behavior and delinquency.

Social Disorganization

The inability of a community to uphold common values and goals.

Social Control Theory

Theory by Hirschi that suggests relationships and attachments deter individuals from delinquency.

Components of Social Control

Attachment, Involvement, Commitment, Belief.

General Theory of Crime

Identifies impulsiveness, parental discipline, and monitoring of behavior as key factors in juvenile delinquency.

Differential Association Theory

Sutherland and Cressey's theory that criminal behavior is learned through associations.

Differential Reinforcement

Burgess and Akers' theory that delinquency is influenced by the severity of punishment received.

Differential Identification

Glaser’ theory that delinquency is learned through modeling behavior

Labeling Theory

The idea that labels influence behavior and self-identity, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Praxis

How to merge values and theories into action, explains social construction

Looking Glass Self

Cooley's concept of seeing ourselves based on how we believe others perceive us.

Kids For Cash Scandal

Judges Ciavarella and Conahan profited by sentencing children to extended stays for minor offenses.

When Kids Get Life Documentary

Documentary showing how children still qualify for life in prison for their crimes

John Ind

He killed his parents after years of abuse, but even some of the jurors who convicted him wonder if he deserved life without parole.

Police & Juvenile Delinquency

Law enforcement's role in creating social norms and addressing crime through community engagement.

Staging Areas

Social contexts that bring youth into contact with people outside their circle, actively builds relationships with the community

School Policies Impact

School policies can create rejection and lead youth to violent behavior and delinquency.