crim theory exam 2

Cohen’s Theory of Lower Class Status

Focuses on origins/effects of delinquency, an internalization of the American dream, frustration when success is not found

Lower class youths find a common solution in embracing values that provide a change of success and the satisfaction of rejecting the respectable values that lie beyond their reach

Theory of Lower Class Status

Cohen’s 3 responses

Delinquent boy, college boy, and corner boy

Cloward and Ohlin’s Differential Opportunity Theory

An extension of Merton’s theories along with differential association and social disorganization. Discusses strain with subcultural overtones. Adaptations via peer group influence

Three types of subcultures - Differential Opportunity Theory

Criminal

Conflict

Retreatist

Anomie

A state of social instability or personal unrest caused by the breakdown of shared norms, values, or purpose in society

Chicago School

Known as the ecological school or theory of social disorganization, takes an ecological approach to the study of communities, argues that the American city contains potent criminogenic forces

Concentric Zone model

Argues city growth follows predictable social patterns

Emphasized studying urban life to understand behavior and crime

Five concentric zones

1- Central business district

2- Zone in transition (crime concentrated)

3- Working men’s homes

4- Higher priced homes

5- Commuter zone

Miller’s Focal Concerns

Attempts to explain delinquent behavior among lower class youth through six culturally learned values

Shaw and McKay’s Theory of Social Disorganization

Builds off the concentric zone model, neighborhood characteristics lead to crime

Delinquency understood by social context

Cultural and subcultural theories of crime

Assume offenders believe in a normative system different from conventional societies. Subculture differs from larger culture due to a pocket of individuals with deviant values

Two mechanisms of social disorganization

Social cohesion and shared expectations for control

Code of the streets

Sought answer to inner city youth, found street code values

Primary Deviance

An initial act of deviance whether one is caught or not

Secondary deviance

Continued acts of deviance that occur as a result of assuming the label

Causal model

Primary deviance → caught and labeled → secondary deviance

4 dimensions of social learning theory

Differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, imitation

Differential Association 9 propositions

1. Criminal behavior is learned not inherited

2. It is learned in interaction with other persons 

3. It occurs within intimate personal groups 

4. Learning includes techniques of committing the crime 

5. Motives and drives are influenced by definitions of the law that are favorable or unfavorable'

6. The key is excess of definitions favorable to law violations

7. Differential associations vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity 

8. The process of learning crime is the same as learning anything else 

9. Criminal behavior is an expression of needs and values, just as noncriminal behavior is the same expression

Neutralization Theory

Aims to explain why individuals drift in and out of crime. Assumes people know the difference between right and wrong but attempt to justify their wrong behavior. Free to deviate without rejecting conventional values

Neutralizations techniques

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

Social Bond Theory

Equal motivation to offend, conventional bonds prevent or reduce offending. weak or absent social bonds to society leads to crime

Four types of social bonds

Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief

Self-control theory

Crime is a result of a lack of self control and the presence of opportunity

Labeling Theory

Shifts focus from the individual to the reactor

Merton’s strain theory

Emphasizes importance of economic success in American culture. Social structure restricts legitimate access to success for some individuals. Individuals must change goals or withdraw allegiances to institutionalized means

Merton’s five models of adaptation

Conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism, and rebellion

General Strain Theory

A microlevel approach identifies coping mechanisms which vary widely across individuals

Sources of strain (GST)

Failure to achieve a goal, removal of positively valued stimuli, presentation of negative stimuli