EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE

What is Peer Influence?

The mechanisms of social influence that shape values, attitudes, and behaviors through social equals outside the family.

Define a Peer.

A social equal, often someone of similar age and status.

What is Compliance in social behavior?

Outward behavior aligns with group expectations but does not necessarily reflect private beliefs.

What is Private Acceptance?

Internalization of group attitudes and beliefs, resulting in genuine change.

What is Co-offending?

Any criminal act involving two or more offenders, also called 'group crime' or 'group delinquency.'

When did the study of co-offending gain more traction?

In the early 21st century.

How are Gangs different from Co-offending?

Gangs are structured with shared norms and goals, while co-offending lacks these organizational elements.

What is Thrasher’s definition of a Gang?

An 'interstitial group' that forms spontaneously and is solidified through conflict.

What role does Collective Behavior play in Gangs?

It fosters group traditions, structure, solidarity, morale, and territorial attachment.

What is the Federal definition of a Gang?

An ongoing group of 5 or more people that engages in criminal activity as a primary purpose.

What distinguishes Peer Groups from Co-offending Groups and Gangs?

Peer Groups are broad social networks without delinquent behavior; Co-offending Groups are temporary alliances for committing crimes together; Gangs are institutionalized groups that persist over time.

When is the peak of Peer Influence?

Middle teens to early adulthood.

How does the role of Parents change during adolescence?

In early childhood, parents are the dominant influence, but during adolescence, peer interactions increase as parental influence declines.

What are cross-cultural variations in Peer Influence?

In the U.S., high peer orientation; in France, Germany, Soviet Union, Japan, parental influence remains strong and peer interaction is constrained.

What factors caused an increase in Peer Influence over time in the U.S.?

Industrialization, age-segregated education, mobility (cars), and teenage employment.

What positive roles do peers serve in adolescence?

Identity formation, emotional support, development of romantic relationships, and social competence.

What is Propinquity in peer group formation?

Physical closeness that fosters friendships.

What is Homophily?

Similarity in age, sex, race, social class, popularity, and aggression that drives peer selection.

What does the Situation Hypothesis state?

Peers influence leisure and social interactions while parents influence long-term decisions.

What parenting style is linked to high peer orientation?

Highly permissive parenting, which involves minimal monitoring.

What mechanisms of Peer Influence can lead to Crime?

Fear of ridicule, loyalty, status, boredom, protection, and moral cover.

What is Anderson’s Code of the Street?

In disadvantaged communities, status and respect are paramount, and disrespect must be met with violence.

How do ridicule, loyalty, and status interact in peer delinquency?

Ridicule deters non-conformity, loyalty demands participation, and status compels individuals to assert dominance.

What is Compliance in the context of group behavior?

Encourages individual conformity to group norms.

What are Magnifying Mechanisms?

Transform individual behavior into group norms.

What role do witnesses play in peer delinquency?

The presence of peers amplifies aggressive responses.

How does alcohol and drug use influence delinquent behavior?

They can reduce inhibition, escalate group violence, and facilitate criminal acts.

What types of offenses are most likely to involve Group Offending?

Vandalism, burglary, trespassing, public disorder crimes.

What types of offenses are less likely to involve Group Offending?

Assault, shoplifting, and solo crimes.

Why might counting events underestimate group crime prevalence?

It does not accurately account for the number of offenders involved.

What was significant about Sidney Blotzman’s case study?

He had a delinquent career from age 8 to 16 and was involved in 13 offenses, always committing crimes in groups.

What is the typical size of Delinquent Groups?

Typically 2-4 members, which decreases with age.

What distinguishes Co-offender Groups from Accomplice Networks?

Co-offender Groups are directly involved in committing crimes together, whereas Accomplice Networks consist of a broader pool of delinquent peers.

What factors influence delinquent groups over time?

Residential mobility, incarceration, and life changes.

What is the Selection Hypothesis regarding delinquent peers?

Delinquents self-select into criminal peer groups.

What is the Influence Hypothesis?

Peer relationships cause delinquent behavior.

What does Hirschi’s Social Control Theory suggest about delinquent youth?

Delinquent youth lack strong, positive friendships.

According to Gottfredson & Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime, what predicts delinquency?

Self-control is the main predictor of delinquency.

What does Kornhauser suggest about the relationship between peers and crime?

Peers do not directly cause crime; delinquency is a byproduct of social activities.

What is Thornberry’s Interactional Theory?

Delinquency and delinquent peers reinforce each other in a reciprocal process.