Criminology Ch 7 & 8

Explain crime as a function of peoples interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society

Social learning theorysocial control theorysocial reaction (labeling) theory

Familypeers schoolchurch

Effective communicationproper disciplinewarm, affectionate supportive

Troubled homesconflictharsh, hostile or erratic disciplineabuse; lack of involvement

Children that are more likely to offend: do poorly/fail in school, lack motivation and feel alienated at schoolDropping outBullying

Non-delinquent friends reduce risk delinquent friends influence behavior through reinforcement

Religion binds people together and provides support and prosocial peers defines right and wrong behaviors

Explain crime as a function of people's interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society differential association theory and neutralization theory

Crime is not a result of learning processes, and is not related to class or social structureskills are learned through contract with pro-crime values, attitudes and definitions of criminal behavior

Conflict between a conventional culture and one of criminal attitudes and behaviors

1. criminal behavior is learned2. learned as a by-product of interacting with others3. occurs within intimate personal groups (friends family and peers)4. Involves assimilating the techniques of committing crime, including motives, drivers, rationalizations, and attitudes5. direction of motives and drives is learned from perceptions of the legal code as favorable or unfavorable6. Criminality occurs when perceptions of violating the law are more favorable 7. differential associations vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity8. learning criminal behavior involves the same mechanisms as is involved in any other learning 9. While criminal behavior is an expression of general needs, it is not explained by these needs since non-criminal behavior is also an expression of these same needs

Becoming criminal is a learning experiencetechniques: used to justify law violating behaviorsdeny injury, deny responsibility, deny the victim, condem condemners, appeal to higher loyalties

All people have the potential to violate the law and modern society presents many opportunities for illegal activity. asks "why doesn't everyone commit crime?"commitment and conformity: a real present and logical reason to obey laws, avoidance of activities that jeopardize reputation and achievement

All are capable of crimecriminality is linked to weakening of ties that bind people in society Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief