Criminology Social Learning Theory

Questions and Answers

What theories are under the social process school of thought?

Labeling theory

Social control theory

Social learning theory

All of the above (correct)

What is social learning theory?

It is a theory that argues criminals were born normal but learned crime due to their environment.

How did Edwin Sutherland contribute to social learning theory?

He expanded upon the idea of differential association and stated that all social classes can learn to commit crime.

What is the theory of Differential Association?

It states that people turn to crime because they associate with those adopting criminal attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What did Matza and Sykes do?

They focused on attitudes and justifications that explain why adolescents drift in and out of delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

What was Matza and Sykes' theory?

Youth are delinquent but not all the time; they drift in and out. Signup and view all the answers

What are neutralization techniques?

Techniques used by adolescents to rationalize their actions and maintain a non-criminal self-image. Signup and view all the answers

Match the different types of neutralization techniques with their descriptions:

Denial of responsibility = Blaming circumstances for behavior Denial of injury = Justifying actions by claiming no one was harmed Denial of the victim = Justifying actions based on the victim's behavior Condemning the condemners = Criticizing authority figures for their actions Appealing to higher loyalties = Justifying actions based on loyalty to others Signup and view all the answers

Describe denial of responsibility.

"It wasn't my fault; I was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Signup and view all the answers

Describe denial of injury.

"No one was really hurt; it's no big deal." Signup and view all the answers

Describe denial of the victim.

"I did what I had to do given the situation." Signup and view all the answers

Describe condemning the condemners.

"I'm being singled out when the judge probably got into a fight in high school." Signup and view all the answers

Describe appealing to higher loyalties.

"I had to do it because other people were depending on me." Signup and view all the answers

Who was Albert J. Reiss and what did he state?

He stated delinquency is a result of not internalizing social behavior, breakdown of controls, and lack of social rules. Signup and view all the answers

What did Walter Reckless do?

He further developed the ideas of external and internal control. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Containment Theory.

It assumes individuals have both external and internal structures that protect against delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

Describe outer containment.

Defined as the structural buffer that holds the person in bounds through role models, limits, belonging, and opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Describe inner containment.

Personal control is ensured by self-concept, self-control, sense of responsibility, and frustration tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a situation where inner containment is lacking and outer containment is present.

James is a high school football star who is a pot dealer despite good family support and opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Includes labelling theory, social control theory, and social learning theory.

Proposes that individuals become involved in crime as a result of learning from their environment rather than inherent traits.
Criminal behavior is viewed as learned behavior influenced by life circumstances.

Edwin Sutherland's Contributions

Developed the concept of differential association.
Suggested that crime can be learned by individuals from any social class.

Differential Association Theory

States that crime is learned through associations with individuals holding criminal attitudes.
Learning occurs primarily in small, influential social groups such as family and friends.
Key factors: frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of contact with criminal elements.
Oversight noted: The role of media in influencing behavior was not recognized.

Matza and Sykes' Developments

Focused on attitudes and justifications that facilitate adolescent delinquency.
Proposed the idea that youth drift in and out of delinquency rather than being continuously delinquent.

State of Drift

Youth experience periods of delinquency contrasted by moral obligations to follow the law.
Drift occurs when moral constraints temporarily loosen.

Neutralization Techniques

Methods used by adolescents to rationalize delinquent actions.
Allow youth to view themselves as non-criminal while engaging in illegal behavior.

Types of Neutralization Techniques

Denial of responsibility
Denial of injury
Denial of the victim
Condemning the condemners
Appealing to higher loyalties

Denial of Responsibility

A defense mechanism stating, "It wasn't my fault, I was in the wrong place."

Denial of Injury

Justification explaining, "No one was really hurt; it's not a big deal."

Denial of the Victim

Claims that actions were necessary for self-defense, e.g., "I did what I had to do."

Condemning the Condemners

Shifts blame by citing hypocrisy, e.g., "The judge probably did worse things as a teenager."

Appealing to Higher Loyalties

Argues the action was for a greater cause, e.g., "I had to do it because others were depending on me."

Albert J. Reiss' Findings

Identified three factors influencing delinquency:
- Incomplete internalization of acceptable behavior.
- Breakdown of internal controls.
- Absence of social rules in familial and social contexts.

Walter Reckless' Contributions

Expanded on concepts of external and internal control regarding behavior regulation.

Containment Theory

Proposes the existence of both internal and external structures that protect individuals from delinquency.
Suggests that commitment to societal norms deters criminal behavior.

Outer Containment

Represents external factors that guide behavior, including:
- Role models
- Social limits and rules
- Sense of belonging
- Opportunities for positive engagement

Inner Containment

Involves personal factors ensuring self-regulation, including:
- Developed self-concept
- Self-control and conscience
- Strong sense of responsibility
- High frustration tolerance

Example of Lacking Inner Containment

A middle-class high school star who has a supportive home but engages in drug dealing.
Contrasts the presence of opportunities and supportive relationships with the absence of personal self-regulation and moral constraints.

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Description

Explore the principles of social learning theory in criminology. This quiz includes key concepts such as labelling theory and social control theory. Test your understanding of how societal influences shape criminal behavior.