Social Process Theories (7)

Socialization and Crime

People are influenced by interactions with various organizations, instiutions, and processes of society

Family Relations

the most important part of socialization (family stress, divorse, family deviance, parental efficacy, child abuse)

What are the different parts of socialization?

Family, Education, Peers, Religion

What are the 3 different overarching catagories of Social Process Theories?

1. Social Learning

2. Social Control

3. Social Reaction

Different Theories of Social Learning Theory?

Differential Association Theory

Differential Reinforcement Theory

Neutralization Theory

Differential Associaltion Theory

Sutherland (1947) Part of the Chicago School

Criminal Behavior is Learned

Learning is a byproduct of interaction

These associations vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

You learn crime the same way you learn anything else!

Criminal Behavior is an expression of needs and values

Trying to explain white collar crime

Differential Reinforcement Theory

Akers and Burgess

Differential association + Direct Conditioning

Behavior comes from other sources that reinforce or punish that behavior

Positive Punishment

Giving you something negative

Negative Punishment

taking away somethign positive

Positive Reinforcement

Giving you something Positive

Negative Reinforcement

Taking away something negative

Neutralization Theory (drift theory)

Matza and Sykes

How do we justify our criminal behavior?

• people use techniques that enable them to drift back and forth between illegitimate and conventional behavior

• Explains aging out and non-chronic delinquency

What are the 5 techniques of drift theory?

1. Deny Responsibility

2. Deny Injury

3. Deny the Victim

4. Condem Condenners

5. Appeal to Higher Loyalties

What are the theories in social control theory?

Hirshi Social Control Theory

What are the assumptions of control theories

People are selfish and rational

We are capable of obeying sociatal rules

Examines why people do not commit crime

Hirshi Social Control Theory

Focus on social bonds (our connectedness to society)

• Crime occurs when the bonds and weak or broken

The four parts come together to create 1 bond! (must have all 4)

The bond come from meaningful personal investment in society

A general theory, micro

What about lone wolves? Sometimes bonds break because you break the law, not the other way around

What are the 4 parts that create the social bond?

1. attachment - closeness to others

2. Committment - care about what others think

3. Involvement - Time you spend in conventional activity

4. Belief - you think crime is wrong and you should follow the rules

Different Theories of Social Reaction Theories?

Explains how criminal careers form based on social interactions

Labeling Theories

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Symbolic Interaction Theory

People communicate via symbols. It does not matter weather the symbol is real, it matters how we react to the symbol. The symbols can change over time.

Dramatization of Evil

When we name individuals as bad or evil, we encourage them to continue this action

What are the assuptions of labeling theory?

Behaviors are highly subjective

Crime is defined by those in power.

People are labeled.

Degredation Ceremony

Making a label irreversable and permanent (child molester)

Saved for the worst! Court sentencing, sex offender registry

Impacts jobs, where you can live

Primary Deviance

You commit a crime but it has no impact on you because you get away with it. No Criminal Career

Secondary Deviance

A deviant event comes to attention of society who applies a negative label. Creates a criminal career.