Social Process Perspective and Criminology

Flashcards from Police Foundations Lecture Notes

Social Process Perspective

Emphasizes the interaction between individuals and society, suggesting that criminal behavior is learned, not innate.

Social Learning

A perspective focusing on communication and socialization in acquiring criminal behavior patterns and values.

Differential Association

Criminal behavior is learned through interaction with intimate groups, such as family and peers.

Labeling Theory

Focuses on society's reaction to deviance and how it can contribute to further criminality.

Tagging

The process by which an individual is negatively defined by agencies of justice. This can lead to a criminal self-identity.

Primary Deviance

Initial deviant acts that do not lead to a deviant self-identity.

Secondary Deviance

Deviant acts that occur after accepting a deviant label, leading to a criminal self-identity.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

The process where people perceived as beyond help accept stigma and will come to act that way.

Life Course Perspective

Examines how events over the life course influence criminal behavior.

Trajectories

Directions in which life seems to be moving according to Life Course Perspective.

Transitions

Specific life events that may alter trajectories and social bonds.