Ch 10 criminology

Socialization

A process through which individuals learn rules, morals, and values from various sources.

Social Process Theory

Studies how socialization influences criminal behavior by examining how behavior is learned, internalized, and transmitted between individuals and groups.

Learning theories

Theoretical models that assume that criminal behavior is due to a process of learning from others the motives and techniques for engaging in such behavior.

Differential Association Theory

A theory of criminal behavior that emphasizes association with significant others (peers, parents)

Classical Conditioning

A learning model that assumes that animals and people learn through stimuli and responses

Empirical Studies

Support Differential association theory, in white collar crime

Sutherland

Theorized both casual processes and criminal associations cause more crime

Glaser’s concept of differential identification

Individuals engage in criminal behavior when they identify with real or imaginary people who find the behavior acceptable

Burgess and Akers’ seven propositions

summarizes differential reinforcement theory, a modification of Sutherlands differential association theory

Differential reinforcement theory

Social learning theory of crime like classical and operant conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Learning model based on the association between an action & the feedback following the action. this is not in differential association theory

Modeling/Imitation

A major factor in differential reinforcement theory, social learning takes places w/ imitation or modeling of behavior

Differential reinforcement vs. rational choice

emphasis on socialization and conditioning in differential

Negative Reinforcement

people rewarded by taking away something they dislike

positive reinforcement

people rewarded by adding something they like

Positive punishment

behavior is discouraged with adverse stimuli

negative punishment

behavior is discouraged w/ lack of award

Banduras theory of imitation/modeling

Burgess and Akers incorporated imitation and modeling into differential reinforcement theory, filling a gap in Sutherlands differential association theory

DRT Reactions

neglecting nonsocial reinforcement and appearing tautological

Retrofit social learning theory (rSLT)

incorporated cognitive neuroscience and psychology

Neutralization Theory

Produced by Sykes and Matza, ppl who justify their behavior through neutralization

Techniques of neutralization

teens&early adults excusing criminal behavior

Denial of Responsibility

Individuals shift blame to external factors for deviant acts

Denial of Injury

People downplay the harm of their actions

Denial of the victim

People view their actions as justified retaliation against the victim

Condemnation of the condemners

people criticize those who disapprove their behavior

Appeal to higher loyalties

people prioritize the rules of their social group over societal norms

Defense of necessity

justifies immoral behavior as necessary and acceptable

Metaphor of the ledger

justifies illegal actions based on prior good deeds or contributions

Reactions to neutralization theory

inconclusive

control theories

assumes that humans are born selfish and offending must be controlled

Thomas Hobbes social contract

Punishments are necessary to avoid selfish humans from committing crimes

Emile Durkheim’s Idea of Collective Conscience

Believed that humans lack an internal mechanism for fulfillment, termed “automatic spontaneity” and “awakened reflection”

awakened reflections

coined by Emile Durkheim, humans acquiring resources beyond immediate needs, leading to insatiable desires

Regulative force

what society must provide to prevent excessive selfishness

Collective conscience

Durkheim, the extent in which people in society share similarities, the stronger the collective conscience, the less crime that occurs.

Psychoanalytic theory

Aligns with control theories by emphasizing the inherent selfishness of individuals and the need for internal controls

Albert Reiss’s control theory

focused on weak controls leading to delinquency and emphasized family and community supervision.

Toby’s concept of Stake in Conformity

emphasized weak controls and a stake in conformity to explain delinquency

Stake in conformity

refers to individuals’ investment in conventional society and influences their decisions to offend

Nye’s control theory

Internal control is formed through social interaction. Assists in the development of a conscience

Direct control

includes sanctions and restrictions on criminal acts like jail and ridicule

Indirect control

Stems from strong attachment to caregivers and conventional society

Reckless’s containment theory

focuses on inner and outer controls,

Inner containment

involves building a sense of self and internalizing societal norms

outer containment

involves societal institutions that build bonds inhibiting criminal activity

Matza’s drift theory

individuals offend when social controls weaken, combining determinism and free will

Soft determinism

assumption that both determinism and free will play a role in person’s decision to engage in criminal behavior.

Subterranean values

when prevalent enable the rationalization of criminal activity

Opinions of Matzas drift theory

mixed results that does not account for people who offend often

Hirschi’s social bonding theory

individuals with stronger bonds to conventional society are less likely to commit crime

Social bonding

a control theory that assumes that individuals are predisposed to commit crime, and that conventional bonds prevent or reduce offending

Attachment

the emotional bond between individuals and significant others, crucial for internalizing conventional values

Commitment

the investment in conventional society and the perceived stake in conformity

Involvement

time spent in constructive activities, reducing opportunities for engaging in illegal behaviors

Beliefs

Moral about societal laws and rules, influencing the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior

Tittle’s Control-Balance Theory

the balance between being controlled and exercising control predicts deviance

Deviance

more likely when there is a control deficit or control surplus

Hagans power control theory

focuses on patriarchal attitudes and household power dynamics. balanced households show less differences in criminal offending

Low self control theory

people either develop self control by age 10 or dont

Physiological factors

individuals with low self control may be tied to this and the arousal towards danger

Head Start

aim to provide positive definitions of conventional behavior