Developmental Theories on Juvenile Delinquency

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Sampson & Laub's theory regarding criminal behavior?

Biological predispositions to crime

The impact of family social controls (correct)

Economic factors influencing delinquency

Peer influence on decision making

What is suggested to undermine potential positive adult bonds, according to the content?

Higher education achievements

Adverse family experiences (correct)

Good relationships with peers

Mentorship opportunities

What type of control is characterized by attachment within the family according to Sampson & Laub?

Social control

Community control

Relational control (correct)

Peer control

Which factor does Warr argue plays a significant role in life-course transitions in relation to delinquency?

Peer associations Signup and view all the answers

How do increased social controls relate to persistent offending, according to Sampson & Laub?

They decrease the likelihood of persistent offending Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Age-graded theory of informal social control?

The impact of informal social bonds on behavior over the life-course Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of desistance from crime as presented by Sampson and Laub?

An ongoing process influenced by social relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which component of social bonds is critical according to the Age-graded theory of informal social control?

All forms of social interactions maximize conformity Signup and view all the answers

What discovery did Rob Sampson make regarding the Glueck data?

It was found in a basement and digitized for further analysis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a turning point that affects social controls according to Sampson and Laub?

Engagement in community service Signup and view all the answers

In Sampson and Laub's view, what happens when social controls are weakened?

The likelihood of continued offending rises Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant limitation faced by the Gluecks in their early research on juvenile delinquency?

Competition with other theories in the field Signup and view all the answers

Which theory heavily influenced Sampson and Laub’s Age-graded theory of informal social control?

Social Control Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is emphasized by Sampson & Laub's theory as a means to reduce persistent offending?

Informal social control Signup and view all the answers

Sampson & Laub's theory places significant emphasis on the role of peers in criminal behavior changes.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of control exercised by the family according to Sampson & Laub's theory?

Relational control and instrumental control Signup and view all the answers

Turning points can result in changes to both _____ and opportunities.

social control Signup and view all the answers

Match the theory proponents with their respective focus areas:

Sampson & Laub = Informal social control Mark Warr = Role of peers in delinquency Gluecks = Juvenile delinquency studies Hirschi = Social bonds theory Signup and view all the answers

What does the Age-graded theory of informal social control suggest about desistance from crime?

It is a process that occurs over time. Signup and view all the answers

According to Sampson and Laub, strong social controls decrease the likelihood of persistent offending.

True Signup and view all the answers

Name one turning point identified by Sampson and Laub that can affect social controls.

Marriage, meaningful employment, or military service. Signup and view all the answers

The Age-graded theory was developed by and .

Sampson; Laub Signup and view all the answers

Match the researchers with their contributions:

Sheldon & Eleanor Glueck = Unraveled juvenile delinquency through life histories Rob Sampson = Discovered Glueck data and expanded on it John Laub = Co-developed the Age-graded theory of informal social control Edwin Sutherland = Theoretical rival to the Gluecks Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a component of the social bonding theory presented in Sampson and Laub's theory?

Peer influence Signup and view all the answers

Increasing social bonds with parents, teachers, and peers leads to lower levels of conformity.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the age-graded theory developed by Sampson and Laub?

The role of social bonds and informal social control in influencing criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental & Life-Course Theories

Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck conducted research on juvenile delinquency in the 1920s-1960s at Harvard University.
Their study involved 500 boys sent to reform schools in the 1930s, collecting data on them at ages 14, 25, and 32.
They documented a history of discrimination, rivalries, and societal obscurity.

Life-Course Theories (Glueck & Glueck)

Their 1950 work, "Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency," detailed life histories of 500 boys, examining influences and outcomes.
Data collection included information from their lives from ages 14, 25, and 32.
Their research considered a range of factors associated with delinquency, including social and environmental elements.

Life-Course Theories (Sampson & Laub)

Rob Sampson (Harvard) and John Laub (Maryland) found several boxes of the Glueck data, further exploring their findings.
They secured funding to digitize the early life histories and conduct follow-up interviews with these men in their late 60s and early 70s.
Their work created the age-graded theory of informal social control, emphasizing that desistance from crime is a process, not an event.

Sampson & Laub's Theory

Their theory emphasizes social control as critical in understanding changes in criminal behavior throughout an individual's life course.
Social bonds with parents, teachers, and peers contribute to conformity.
Weak or broken social bonds increase the likelihood of deviance and delinquency.
These factors, and turning points (like marriage, meaningful employment, or military service) help explain criminal behavior over a lifetime.
They noted that the likelihood of persistent offending can change due to these turning points and social controls.
Their theory prioritizes the impact of family, employment, and other social factors on behavior during adulthood.
It acknowledges that individual differences might influence criminal behavior.

Sampson & Laub's Theory - Critiques

Their work emphasizes the role of family and other social relationships.
It downplays the influence of peers on criminal behavior.
Warr (1993, 1998, 2002) disagrees, highlighting the importance of peer relationships and social interactions.
Peer exposure and relationships play a crucial role during transitions; exposure to delinquent peers can impact criminal behaviors.
Warr’s theory focuses on the interaction between life-course transitions and interactions with peers, explaining desistance and persistence in criminal behavior.

For This Week

For Wednesday (Dec. 4th), read Chapter 15 – Integrating Criminological Theory.

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Description

Explore the influential research of Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck on juvenile delinquency from the 1920s to 1960s. This quiz delves into their life-course theories and data collection methods, including the examination of the backgrounds of 500 boys over time. Learn about the societal and environmental factors that shaped their findings and the subsequent work by Sampson and Laub.