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Questions and Answers
What theories are under the social process school of thought?
What theories are under the social process school of thought?
What is social learning theory?
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?
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?
What is the theory of Differential Association?
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What did Matza and Sykes do?
What did Matza and Sykes do?
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What was Matza and Sykes' theory?
What was Matza and Sykes' theory?
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What are neutralization techniques?
What are neutralization techniques?
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Match the different types of neutralization techniques with their descriptions:
Match the different types of neutralization techniques with their descriptions:
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Describe denial of responsibility.
Describe denial of responsibility.
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Describe denial of injury.
Describe denial of injury.
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Describe denial of the victim.
Describe denial of the victim.
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Describe condemning the condemners.
Describe condemning the condemners.
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Describe appealing to higher loyalties.
Describe appealing to higher loyalties.
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Who was Albert J. Reiss and what did he state?
Who was Albert J. Reiss and what did he state?
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What did Walter Reckless do?
What did Walter Reckless do?
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Describe Containment Theory.
Describe Containment Theory.
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Describe outer containment.
Describe outer containment.
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Describe inner containment.
Describe inner containment.
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Give an example of a situation where inner containment is lacking and outer containment is present.
Give an example of a situation where inner containment is lacking and outer containment is present.
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Study Notes
Social Process School of Thought
- Includes labelling theory, social control theory, and social learning theory.
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.
