criminological theory exam two

sutherland

argued that social organization regulates criminal behavior

in order for crime to occur

a person must learn delinquent definitions

what does it mean to be learned

criminal behavior is learned through social interaction

how does differential association theory explain crime

person becomes criminal when they hold exess of pro crime definitions

intimate personal groups

Primary context for learning criminal behavior.

differential associations may vary in (4)

frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

what types of crime can be explained by differential association theory

white collar crime

empirical status of differential association theory

strongest predictor of criminal involvement is measured by number of delinquent friends

criticism of differentiential theory

birds of a feather flock together

differential reinforcement

Behavior is reinforced by being either rewarded or punished while interacting with others

important people in social learning theory

Akers

how do people become involved in crime according to social learning theory

social interaction with others

imitation

copying the behavior of another person

differential association

A theory of deviance that holds that violation of rules results from exposure to attitudes favorable to criminal acts.

general

broad attitudes that disapprives of criminal behavior

specific

certain acts are wrong and cetrain acts are permissable

ecological theories

Emphasize the relationship between individuals and the settings in which they develop.

important people in the chicago school

burgess, shaw and mcKay, Robert Park, Stark,

concentric zone theory

theory that describes urban growth in terms of circular areas that grow from the central city outward

what are the zones

central buisiness district, zone in transition, working class, residential, commuter

where does crime occur according to the zones

zone of transition

why does it occur in that zone

deteriorating houses, displacement of residents, and waves of immigrants lead to weakened family and communal ties

social disorganization theory

neighborhood organization instrumental in ptrventing delinquent careers

• broken windows theory

disorganized neighborhoods characterized by (5)

poverty, residential mobility, ethnic/racial heterogeneity, urbanization, family breakdown

social disorganization

inability of a community to realize common values of residents and maintain effective social controls

elements of social organization

solidarity, cohesion, integration

informal social control

the scope of collective intervention that the community directs toward social problems

criticism of social disorganization theory

Shaw and McKay's claims about imigration and crime aren't supported

broken window hypothesis

The view that deteriorated communities attract criminal activity.

What is the empirical standing of social disorganization theory?

Variables related to crime are in the predicted direction.

How do structural factors relate to social disorganization?

Structural factors increase social disorganization.

What is the relationship between disorganized areas and crime levels?

Disorganized areas have higher levels of crime than organized areas.

lawrence sherman

defiance theory; those who commit crime to defy the system.

hot spots for crime

places within a city that crime occurs more than other parts

starks deviant places

where homes more crowded higer tendency to congregate outside which raises opportunity to deviate

important people in classic strain theory

Merton, Cohen, Cloward, Ohlin

how does classic strain theory explain crime

people are conformed to the universal and conventional cultural goal of financial success

what causes strain

the American Dream and limited legitimate opportunities produces strain

legitimate means

Accepted methods to achieve societal goals.

illegitimate means

the means to achieve a goal that is socially unaccepted

the american dream

An American ideal of a happy, successful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one's children.

anomie

a social condition in which norms are weak, conflicting, or absent

adaptations of strain (5)

conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion

extension of classic strain theory

Status discontent and delinquency

cohen classic strain theory

for juveniles most delinquent behavior isn't motivated by economic gain, but by gaining status

cloward and ohlin classic strain theory

social structure generates pressure for deviance, most intensely in lower class

criticisms of classic strain theory

Focus on lower-class delinquency

Failure to consider barriers to achievement other than social class

Inability to account for why only some people who experience strain turn to criminal activity.

how is general strain different from classic strain

Classic strain primarily focuses on economic gain, while general strain focuses on all types of strain

how does general strain theory explain crime

negative emotions create pressure for corrective action

important people in general strain theory

Agnew

strain

the pressure individuals experience from social structures or negative events

types of strain

physiological, psychological, and behavioral

negative emotions and general strain

strain evokes negative emotions, anger, and increases likelihood of crime

strain more likely to lead to crime when (4)

1) strain unjust

2) high in magnitude

3) caused by low social control

4) strain creates pressure to engage in crime

how do people cope with strain

with negative emotions providing magor impetus for coping

conditioning factors of strain

diminish - coping resources, social support, strong social bonds

increase - low self control, antisocial beliefs

reiss, toby, and nye

reiss - explained social and personal control

toby - stakes in conformity

nye - family ties

Reckless

why some people comit crimes while others are law abiding

Sykes and Matza

why do most delinquent kids stop commiting crime at certain age

techniques of neutralization (5)

denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, condemnation of the condemners, appeal to higher loyalties

Hirschi

social bond theory and self control theory

how does control theory explain crime

crime occurs when social bonds and controls are weak allowing individual to deviate

how are control theories different from other theories

control theories focus on why people obey the law while other theories ask why they break the law

social controls

control attraction to illegal temptations

hirschis social bonds (4)

attachment, commitment, involvement, belief

how does social bond theory explain crime

strong social bonds deter crime while weakened bonds increase likelihood of criminal behavior

criticisms of hirchis social bond theory

theory based on assumption that humans naturally self interested

how is a general theory of crime different from social bond theory

general theory focuses on low self control while social bonds focuses on strength of social bonds

self control

the ability to control impulses and delay short-term gratification for greater long-term rewards

analogous behaviors

deviant behavior

elements of self control (6)

impulsive, insensitive, risk seeking, hot tempered, physical tasks, simple tasks

why do some people have low self control

main reason is bad parenting skills

where does self control come from

Self-control is learned, particularly through effective parenting and once it is set it cannot change

stability thesis

Self control develops early in childhood and persists over time.