juvenile delinquency exam 2

What is choice theory in the context of delinquency?

posits that individuals consider the consequences of their actions before committing them, weighing the benefits of violating the law.

Who are the key figures associated with choice theory?

Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham.

What assumption does choice theory make about human behavior?

It assumes that individuals possess 'free will' to choose their behaviors.

What factors can encourage delinquency according to choice theory?

Economic need or opportunity can lead individuals, especially youth, to engage in illegal acts when success seems attainable.

What are some delinquent motives for youths from affluent families?

problem solving, false expectations, and opportunity.

What is Routine Activities Theory?

Developed by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson, it views crime as a normal function of the routine activities of modern living.

What three variables influence predatory crimes?

The availability of suitable targets, the absence of capable guardians, and the presence of motivated offenders.

What is general deterrence in crime control?

Policies that depend on the fear of criminal penalties, guided by the severity, certainty, and swiftness of punishment.

How does specific deterrence aim to prevent delinquency?

By punishing young offenders severely to discourage them from repeating illegal acts.

What are some problems with strict deterrence strategies?

Minors may not be rational, experienced offenders may not fear consequences, and many juveniles may be under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

What is situational crime prevention?

A strategy that recognizes characteristics of sites and situations at risk for crime, focusing on monitoring and controlling potential offenders.

Who is considered the father of criminology?

Cesar Lombroso, who proposed the idea of criminal atavism.

What does contemporary trait theory argue?

A combination of personal traits and environmental factors leads to delinquent behavior.

What are the three areas of biosocial theories of delinquency?

Biochemical factors, neurological function, and genetic history.

What are some examples of biochemical factors influencing delinquency?

Maternal alcohol abuse, environmental contamination, and dietary influences.

How is neurological dysfunction related to delinquency?

Conditions like ADHD and learning disabilities are associated with antisocial behavior.

What is the relationship between genetic influences and delinquency?

Antisocial behavior can be inherited, with genetic abnormalities linked to such behaviors.

What are the three prominent psychological perspectives on delinquency?

Psychodynamic theory, behavioral theory, and cognitive theory.

What does psychodynamic theory suggest about personality?

It is controlled by unconscious mental processes and imbalances can lead to psychological difficulties.

How does behavioral theory explain personality development?

learned through interactions with others via rewards and punishments.

What does cognitive theory focus on?

The perception of reality and mental processes required to understand the world.

What is the nature vs. nurture debate in relation to intelligence and delinquency?

Nature theory suggests intelligence is inherited, while nurture theory posits it is determined by environmental factors.

What is a key focus of delinquency prevention efforts?

Strengthening a youth's home life and relationships through rehabilitation methods.

What is the Prenatal/Early Infancy Project (PEIP)?

An early prevention initiative aimed at improving children's health and well-being.

What concern arises with early prevention strategies?

The potential for labeling or stigmatizing children as future delinquents.

What are the two branches of individual-level theories of delinquency?

Choice theory and biological trait theories.

What psychological theories explain delinquent behaviors?

Psychodynamic theory, behavioral theory, and cognitive theory.

What social factors are believed to affect delinquent behaviors?

Interpersonal interactions, social relationships, social conditions, and poverty.

Who coined the phrase 'culture of poverty'?

Oscar Louis in 1966.

What is the 'underclass' in the context of social structure theories?

A group of urban poor with little chance of upward mobility.

What does William Julius Wilson refer to as the 'truly disadvantaged'?

Impoverished individuals deprived of a standard of living enjoyed by others.

What are the three prominent views in social structure theories?

Social disorganization, anomie/strain, and cultural deviance.

What is social disorganization theory?

A theory that explains delinquency in transitional neighborhoods where teenage gangs develop.

What is cultural transmission in the context of social disorganization?

The process of passing on deviant traditions and delinquent values from one generation to the next.

What is relative deprivation?

A condition where wealth and poverty exist in close proximity, leading to social issues.

What is anomie according to Robert Merton?

A condition caused by the failure to achieve social goals, leading to social and psychological strain.

What does general strain theory link delinquency to?

The strain of being locked out of the economic mainstream, leading to anger and frustration.

What are the sources of strain identified by Robert Agnew?

Failure to achieve positively valued goals, removal of valued stimuli, and presentation of negative stimuli.

What does cultural deviance theory suggest?

Delinquency is linked to the formation of subcultures with values that clash with mainstream culture.

What is differential association theory?

A theory that states delinquency is learned through close relationships with others.

What are the four main elements of social bonds in social control theory?

Attachment, commitment, belief, and involvement.

What does labeling theory state about delinquency?

Delinquency is caused by stigma applied by social control agents, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What is the purpose of social programs aimed at delinquency prevention?

To strengthen the socialization process and reduce stigma and labeling.

What is Homeboy Industries?

An organization that helps kids leave gangs and become productive members of society.

What are some examples of social programs designed to reduce delinquency?

Operation Weed and Seed and Boys and Girls Clubs.

What is the impact of community fear on delinquency rates?

Increased fear leads to a deterioration in quality of life and higher delinquency rates.

What is collective efficacy?

The mutual trust and willingness to intervene in community supervision that creates a sense of well-being.

Where does choice theory come from?

classical criminology

Rational doesn't mean…

correct

What do degradation rituals do?

shame and give general deterrence

What does it mean to be bound over?

move juvenile to be charged in adult court

What is specific deterrence?

punishment severe enough to convince them not to commit again

What is general deterrence?

more to lose than to gain/severe, certain, swift

What is criminal atavism?

idea that delinquents manifest anomalies

What did Freud create?

Psychodynamic Theory

What are the 3 aspects of Psychodynamic Theory?

id, ego, superego

What is the 'id'?

unrestrained, primitive, pleasure seeking

What is the 'ego'?

conscious, reality based

What is the 'superego'?

moral conscience, shaped by parents

What is transference?

anger towards therapist

What is Erik Erikson's theory?

psychosocial theory

What is John Bowlby's theory?

attachment theory

What is psychosocial theory?

Erikson's theory, which emphasizes that in each Freudian stage, individuals not only develop a unique personality but also acquire attitudes and skills that help them become active, contributing members of their society

What is attachment theory?

developed by john

infants use their primary caregiver as a secure base

children are biologically predisposed to develope attachment with caregivers as a means of increasing the chances of survivial

children develop internal working model of attachments: mental representations of: self, attachment figure, relationships in general

What are interpersonal interactions?

social relationships

What is the 3 theoretical foundations of sociology?

Social structure theories, Social process theories, Critical theories

What are the social conditions that cause delinquency?

political unrest/mistrust

What are the social factors that cause delinquency?

poverty

What is the 'culture of poverty'?

a cycle for the most disadvantaged, the underclass, and a form of transgenerational trauma

What are some cultural values Dr. Warren talked about?

gang culture, school to prison pipeline

Who are Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay?

part of the 'Chicago school', transitional neighborhoods, cultural transmissions

Who are Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton?

creators of anomie/strain theory

What is strain theory?

if a person is blocked from attaining a goal that society says is commendable, they will turn to deviance to achieve that goal

Who is Edwin Sutherland?

creator of differential association

Who is Travis Hirschi?

created social bond and delinquency in social control theory