Deviance Theories: Social Control, Differential Association, Labeling & Shaming

What is the starting assumption of Hirschi's Social Bond Theory?

Most individuals are self-interested and will deviate from norms unless controlled by social bonds.

What are the four elements of Hirschi's Social Bond Theory?

Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, and Belief.

What does the 'Attachment' element in Hirschi's theory refer to?

A person's ties and relationships to others, particularly parents and schools.

How does 'Commitment' function in Hirschi's Social Bond Theory?

It represents the rational component linked to what is gained or lost in deviance, reflecting one's investment in conformity.

What does 'Involvement' signify in Hirschi's theory?

The opportunity to commit crime; more involvement in conventional activities reduces time available for deviance.

What is the 'Belief' element in Hirschi's Social Bond Theory?

The extent to which individuals believe rules should be obeyed and the legitimacy of those rules.

What was the main finding regarding 'Attachment' in Hirschi's empirical test?

There was support for the relationship between attachment to parents, friends, and teachers and deviant behavior.

How did 'Commitment' affect deviant behavior in Hirschi's study?

The more students worried about grades, the less likely they were to engage in deviant behavior.

What was the unexpected finding related to 'Involvement' in Hirschi's research?

Increased involvement in activities led to higher rates of deviant behavior due to less supervision.

What ongoing studies are examining factors impacting risky adolescent behavior?

The National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, which follows 90,000 individuals from ages 12-18 into adulthood.

What factor was found to influence all types of risky behavior in adolescents?

Emotional closeness to parents.

How does 'Commitment' relate to college plans in Hirschi's findings?

Those with plans for college were twice as likely not to engage in risky behaviors like vaping.

What did McCord's research focus on regarding the social bond?

The impact of family relationships and expectations on juvenile delinquency and adult criminality.

What was a significant finding regarding boys' involvement in sports?

More involvement in sports was linked to increased sexual activity.

What was a significant finding regarding girls' involvement in sports?

More involvement in sports was associated with decreased sexual activity.

What is the relationship between structured activities and delinquency?

Structured activities lead to more supervision and less delinquency.

What is the significance of parental supervision in adolescent behavior?

Higher parental supervision correlates with lower rates of risky behaviors.

What role does socializing face-to-face play in adolescent behavior?

Face-to-face socializing is linked to lower likelihoods of risky behaviors compared to online socializing.

What are the three general categories of variables affecting juvenile delinquency?

Mothers' competence and parenting style, fathers' interaction with the family, and the mother and father's relationship.

What factors related to mothers influence juvenile delinquency?

Consistent discipline, supervision, relationship with the son, affection or criticism, and family expectations.

How does a father's interaction impact juvenile delinquency?

Affection for the son, level of aggressiveness, and expression of anger towards the son and mother.

What is the significance of the mother and father's relationship in juvenile delinquency?

It affects how they express anger, respect for the mother, and parental conflict within the family.

What did McCord find regarding juvenile delinquency records?

Most boys had not been arrested (2/3), with the other third having varied arrest histories.

What is the mother's role in predicting juvenile delinquency?

Mothers who supervise closely, have strong attachments, and provide consistent discipline positively influence behavior.

How does the father's influence change as boys become adults?

The father's relationship becomes more significant in affecting adult criminality.

What are the two different effects of parental influence on delinquency?

Discipline or monitoring effect and role modeling or mentoring effect.

What is the discipline or monitoring effect?

Mothers teach their sons how to act as juveniles and influence their future behavior.

What is the role modeling or mentoring effect?

Fathers serve as role models for adult behavior, impacting sons' actions as adults.

What are significant turning points that can alter a life trajectory?

Marriage, employment, joining the military, becoming a parent, property ownership, and religious participation.

What did Sampson and Laub discover about adult social bonds?

They impact adult criminality and can modify childhood deviance.

What is Hirschi's theory of commitment?

Commitment increases social capital, reducing the likelihood of long-term deviance.

What are policy implications derived from the research?

Encouraging home ownership, residential stability, and preparing people for marriage.

What is Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association Theory?

It posits that deviant behavior is learned through interaction and communication with others.

What is the focus of Sutherland's theory?

Understanding the learning process of criminal behavior through interpersonal communication.

What does Sutherland argue about the nature of criminal behavior?

It is learned, not biological or psychological.

What is 'differential association'?

The process of social interaction through which definitions of deviance are learned.

What are the criticisms of Sutherland's theory?

Difficulty in testing, lack of emphasis on behavior, and the selection perspective.

What are the four modalities that impact the learning process?

Frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of relationships.

How does the excess of definitions favorable to deviance affect behavior?

A person becomes delinquent when they have more definitions favorable to violating the law than unfavorable.

What is the relationship between childhood deviance and adult social bonds?

Childhood deviance can be modified by adult social bonds, particularly through marriage and employment.

What did Sampson and Laub's research reveal about aging out of crime?

Stable marriage and long-term employment are key factors in reducing criminal behavior.

What role does parental conflict play in juvenile delinquency?

Parental conflict can negatively impact the child's behavior and development.

What is the significance of the father's relationship in a boy's life?

It serves as a model for adult behavior and influences future actions.

What is the impact of social capital on deviance?

Building social capital through positive relationships reduces long-term deviance.

What are the primary differences in causes between juvenile delinquency and adult crime?

The causes may vary, with different social bonds affecting individuals as they progress through life.

What significant discovery did Sampson and Laub make in the 1990s regarding juvenile delinquency?

They found Gluek's original data and coding sheets, which had not been analyzed despite being collected on boys into their young adulthood.

What is meant by 'trajectory' in the context of life course development?

Trajectory refers to the pathways in which individuals' lives are heading.

What are 'transitions' in life course development?

Transitions are specific life events that have the potential to alter one's life trajectory.

How can childhood deviance be modified over the life course?

Through adult social bonds, particularly stable marriage and meaningful employment.

What are some significant turning points that can alter a life trajectory?

Joining the military, becoming a parent, property ownership, and religious participation.

What concept does Hirschi's theory focus on?

The concept of commitment, which increases a person's social capital.

How does social capital relate to deviance?

Building social capital through positive relationships reduces the likelihood of long-term deviance.

What policy implications arise from the study of juvenile delinquency?

Encouraging home ownership, residential stability, preparing for marriage, and rethinking punishment strategies.

What is the main argument of Sutherland's theory regarding criminal behavior?

Criminal behavior is learned rather than being biological or psychological.

What does 'differential association' refer to?

The process of social interaction through which definitions favorable or unfavorable to deviance are learned.

What are the criticisms of Sutherland's Differential Association Theory?

It is hard to test and measure, and it does not adequately address the relationship between attitudes and behavior.

What is Ron Akers' contribution to Sutherland's theory?

Akers extends the theory by adding concepts of imitation and differential reinforcement to recognize the impact of behavioral modeling.

What is 'differential reinforcement'?

The balance of anticipated or actual rewards and punishments that result from behavior.

What are techniques of neutralization according to Sykes and Matza?

Rationalizations that individuals use to justify or excuse their deviant behavior.

What does the concept of 'drift' imply in the context of deviance?

Individuals engage in deviant and non-deviant behavior on a continuum rather than as two distinct categories.

How do relationships influence the learning process of deviance according to Sutherland?

The quality and nature of relationships vary, impacting their influence on learning deviant behavior.

What are the four aspects that affect the relevance of relationships in learning deviance?

Frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of the relationships.

What does Sutherland mean by 'excess definitions favorable to deviance'?

A person becomes delinquent when they have more definitions favorable to violating the law than unfavorable ones.

What is the selection perspective in relation to delinquency?

It argues that delinquency leads to delinquent associations rather than the other way around.

What role does marriage play in reducing crime among young men?

Stable marriage is associated with reduced crime, as married individuals often have less time for deviant activities.

What is the significance of employment in altering criminal trajectories?

Long-term meaningful employment is crucial for young men to stop committing crimes and age out of delinquency.

How does the concept of social capital relate to criminal behavior?

Positive relationships with institutions and individuals can reduce the likelihood of long-term deviance.

What is the impact of felony or arrest records on future opportunities?

They can negatively affect the likelihood of getting a job, getting married, and forming relationships.

What are the five techniques used to neutralize guilt or shame in deviant behavior?

1. Denial of responsibility, 2. Denial of injury, 3. Denial of victim, 4. Condemnation of the condemners, 5. Appeal to higher loyalties.

What does 'denial of responsibility' entail?

The belief that unlawful acts are not the individual's fault, attributing behavior to external factors.

How is 'denial of injury' defined in the context of deviance?

The offender redefines their act to suggest it is not harming anyone, thus minimizing its perceived severity.

What is the 'denial of victim' technique?

A justification used by perpetrators claiming the victim deserved the harm inflicted upon them.

What does 'condemnation of the condemners' imply?

Arguing that those who condemn the deviant behavior (like police) are equally corrupt or immoral.

What is meant by 'appeal to higher loyalties'?

Recognizing that while behavior may be illegal, it is justified by loyalty to family or friends.

What is the main focus of labeling theory?

Examining how society's reaction to rule-breaking can promote further deviance rather than deter it.

What is primary deviance?

Initial rule-breaking behavior that may not elicit a strong social reaction.

What is secondary deviance?

Deviant behavior that occurs after an individual has been labeled as deviant by society.

What are status degradation ceremonies?

Formal public events that label an individual as deviant, often leading to long-term consequences.

How does stigma affect an individual's identity?

Stigma can lead to a spoiled identity, where the label of deviance becomes a master status.

What is a master status?

A label that becomes the primary way others perceive an individual, overshadowing all other aspects of their identity.

What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of labeling?

The phenomenon where an individual's self-image and expectations are shaped by the labels they receive.

What impact does labeling have on legitimate opportunities for individuals?

Labeling can significantly reduce access to employment and social associations for the labeled person.

What was the focus of Devah Pager's study, 'The Mark of a Criminal Record'?

Investigating how a felony conviction affects employment opportunities for black and white men.

What were the findings of Pager's study regarding callbacks for job applications?

Whites with a felony record received half as many callbacks as whites without, while blacks with a felony received three times fewer callbacks than blacks without.

How does race influence hiring decisions according to Pager's study?

Race is a significant factor, with African Americans without a felony record less likely to receive callbacks than whites with a felony record.

What was the trend in incarceration rates from the 1970s to 2017?

There was a 600% increase in the number of inmates, with the corrections budget rising from $52 billion to $80 billion.

What is the recidivism rate mentioned in the notes?

60% of released individuals return to prison within three years.

What role does employment play in reducing recidivism?

The ability to find a job is a critical factor in whether individuals return to prison.

What is the goal of decriminalization in the context of labeling theory?

To keep as many people as possible out of the criminal justice system.

What types of offenses are often considered for decriminalization?

Victimless crimes such as marijuana use, opioid use, and homelessness.

What is meant by minimal or non-intervention for deviant individuals?

To consider alternative sanctions rather than punitive measures for certain individuals.

What are diversionary programs?

Programs such as community service, fines, and panels aimed at diverting offenders from the criminal justice system.

What is the significance of restitution in labeling theory?

Restitution serves as an alternative to traditional punitive measures within the criminal justice system.

How do mediated cases affect recidivism rates?

Mediated cases are more likely to lead to less recidivism compared to traditional criminal justice cases.

What is the critique of labeling theory regarding individual responsibility?

Labeling theory may overemphasize societal reaction while underemphasizing individual responsibility for actions.

What are the root causes of primary deviance that labeling theorists often ignore?

The underlying reasons for initial rule-breaking behavior.

What is Braithwaite's Theory of Shaming?

An extension of traditional labeling theory that examines how shaming can be either stigmatizing or rehabilitative.

What are the two fundamentally different processes of shaming according to Braithwaite?

Disintegrative shaming, which stigmatizes the individual, and reintegrative shaming, which maintains respect and encourages reintegration.

What characterizes disintegrative shaming?

It involves humiliating disapproval that stigmatizes the individual rather than the act, creating barriers to community acceptance.

What is reintegrative shaming?

A form of shaming that expresses disapproval while maintaining respect for the individual, followed by gestures of reacceptance.