Criminology Theories: Differential Association & Hirschi

People learn criminal behavior through interactions with others, particularly those who define crime favorably.

The theory proposes that people justify criminal actions by neutralizing moral constraints, allowing them to commit crimes without feeling guilt.

This occurs when individuals are exposed to a corporate culture that prioritizes profits above ethics, leading them to adopt definitions that justify illegal activities.

This theory is used to understand the motivations for delinquency amongst youth, often attributed to negative peer influences.

Learning criminal techniques and attitudes can explain why individuals get involved in drug trafficking, as they might be influenced by known drug users or dealers.

Developed in the late 1960s, it questions why most people don't break the law, not why they do. It focuses on the social bonds that keep people from deviating.

Hirschi's theory suggests that individuals who are strongly connected to society, through family, school, and community, are less likely to engage in criminal behavior.

This critique highlights that Hirschi's theory focuses on individual relationships and personal choices, overlooking how broader societal issues like poverty and discrimination can contribute to crime.

Gottfredson & Hirschi argue that the root of criminal behavior is low self-control. Individuals lacking self-control are more likely to make impulsive decisions and prioritize immediate gratification.

This theory posits that most crimes are spontaneous, require little planning, and are driven by a desire for immediate satisfaction, especially in individuals with low self-control.

A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of social structures, particularly power imbalances, in shaping crime and criminal justice.

The idea that criminal justice systems prioritize the interests of the wealthy and powerful, often criminalizing actions that threaten capitalist interests while protecting the elite.

Criticizes critical criminology for focusing too much on social structures and neglecting the role of individual agency and personal responsibility.

Criticizes critical criminology for focusing heavily on the actions of offenders and the inequalities within the system, neglecting the harm caused to victims and the possibility of victim blaming.

Explains how criminal law is often shaped by the interests of the ruling class, with crimes committed by the powerful often underreported or lightly punished compared to street crimes.

The argument that certain behaviors, such as drug use or sex work, should be decriminalized and treated as public health issues, rather than criminal offenses.

Critical criminology connects deeply to movements that challenge power dynamics and advocate for social justice, such as prison reform movements and campaigns against police brutality.

Marxist criminology argues that the criminal justice system disproportionately targets working-class and marginalized groups while ignoring crimes committed by the elite.

Forced assimilation policies enforced by governments to integrate Indigenous people into mainstream society by suppressing their cultures and traditions.

Government-funded schools established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture by separating them from their families and communities. Residential schools aimed to suppress Indigenous languages, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs.

The practice of removing Indigenous children from their families and communities and placing them in non-Indigenous foster homes or adoptive families. This practice, often referred to as the 'Sixties Scoop,' was a continuation of colonial assimilation policies.

A practice by some police officers in Canada where Indigenous individuals were detained, driven to remote areas, and abandoned in freezing temperatures. These actions often resulted in severe harm or death due to hypothermia and exposure.

A 17-year-old Indigenous youth who was found frozen to death on the outskirts of Saskatoon in 1990. His death sparked anger among the Indigenous community and highlighted the issue of Starlight Tours.

An Indigenous man shot and killed on August 9, 2016, by a farmer while sitting in a vehicle on the farmer's property. Boushie's death sparked national outrage and discussions about systemic racism and the justice system's treatment of Indigenous individuals.

A rural property near Biggar, Saskatchewan, where Colten Boushie was killed. The scene of the crime played a significant role in the trial and subsequent investigations.

A statement made by Gerald Stanley during the trial regarding the shooting of Colten Boushie. His claim raised controversy and questions about his intention and actions.

A perspective in criminology that seeks to explain the relationship between social inequality, crime, and social control in a practical way. It emerged as a response to both traditional leftist views of crime and the limitations of more radical approaches like Marxism.

The idea that people feel a sense of deprivation when they compare their own social position to those who seem to have more, which can lead to frustration and criminal behavior. Sometimes it is hard to see the bigger picture when people feel like they are being left behind.

The belief that social structures, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity, are the underlying causes of crime. It's not just about individual choices, but also about the environment people live in and the opportunities available to them.

Illegal acts committed by individuals or organizations, typically within the context of business operations. These acts are often carried out by people in positions of power, they can be very harmful, even when not violent, and are difficult to detect due to the complexities of business practices.

It is an idea that suggests that systems or frameworks are objective, fair, and unbiased, when in reality they are influenced by power structures, cultural norms, and inequality. It is important to recognize these biases and work towards a more just and equitable system.

This is a period in feminist history focusing on challenging the male dominance over legal frameworks and criminal justice practices. It has brought awareness to the gendered bias in the system and its impact on women's experiences with the law.

This theory was developed in the late 20th century by criminologists John Lea and Jock Young, who argued that crime is a product of a complex interplay of social factors, including social deprivation and a lack of opportunities.

This is an approach to understanding crime that focuses on the social and economic structures that contribute to criminal behavior. It recognizes that crime is not just a result of individual choices but of a system that creates and perpetuates inequality.

A perspective in criminology that views crime as a social construct, meaning that it's not inherent to any act, but rather defined by societal norms and values. It focuses on how particular behaviors or groups become criminalized, challenging the idea that crime is a natural or universal category.

The view that crime is primarily defined by legal codes and that criminal behavior is objectively measured by the number of reported offenses and prosecutions. This approach largely ignores social and contextual factors.

The idea that a society's response to perceived threats can be exaggerated, often fuelled by media portrayals, leading to a disproportionate focus on a particular issue. This can contribute to the social construction of crime.

This theory suggests that individuals who are strongly connected to society through family, school, and community are less likely to engage in criminal behavior. Strong social bonds act as a deterrent to deviance.

This theory argues that the root of criminal behavior is low self-control. Individuals lacking self-control are prone to impulsive decisions and prioritizing immediate gratification, making them more likely to engage in criminal acts.

This theory posits that people learn criminal behavior through interactions with others, particularly those who favorably define crime. The more exposure to criminal attitudes and techniques, the higher the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.

This theory focuses on the ways people neutralize their moral conscience to justify engaging in criminal activities. They develop techniques like denying responsibility, minimizing the harm, or justifying their actions.