Social Process Theories of Crime

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Questions and Answers

What is a key component of crime linked to improper social upbringing?

Criminal labeling

Parental guidance

Social control effectiveness

Destructive social relationships (correct)

According to social learning theory, how do individuals learn criminal behavior?

In the same way as conventional behavior (correct)

Through institutional education

By observing reactions of law enforcement

Through negative labeling by peers

What does social control theory propose is the reason people refrain from committing crimes?

High moral standards

Bonds to conventional society (correct)

Fear of punishment

Peer influence

Which of the following is a belief about family relationships and crime?

Highly effective parental involvement reduces crime Signup and view all the answers

How does school failure relate to criminality?

It is linked to an increase in delinquent behavior Signup and view all the answers

What role do peers play in the context of delinquency?

They help neutralize fear of punishment Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the belief associated with individuals with high moral standards?

They can resist criminal activity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following theories suggests that criminality arises from perceptions of definitions favoring crime?

Differential association theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant predictor of later serious criminality?

Early onset of antisocial behavior Signup and view all the answers

What do Sampson and Laub identify as crucial to changing a criminal's trajectory?

Turning points in life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a latent trait that may lead to criminal behavior?

Strong impulse control Signup and view all the answers

According to Wilson and Herrnstein, what primarily influences criminal behavior?

Perceived consequences Signup and view all the answers

Why might offenders who begin their criminal careers later in life still face challenges in desisting from crime?

They lack early conditioning and social supports Signup and view all the answers

What role does social capital play according to Sampson and Laub's theory?

It can influence the maintenance of a criminal career Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic can be categorized as a latent trait based on the discussed content?

Genetic predisposition to aggression Signup and view all the answers

How do early-onset offenders typically differ from late-blooming offenders?

They are more likely to have psychological issues Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of state crimes?

They involve violation of citizen trust by state officials. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary elements of Travis Hirschi's social control theory?

Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief Signup and view all the answers

How do instrumental theorists view the role of those in authority in society?

They argue that authority is used to control society and maintain order. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key focus of critical research in the context of critical theory?

To understand how class interests shape the justice system. Signup and view all the answers

How does labeling theory suggest criminality is perpetuated?

By becoming negatively labeled by significant others Signup and view all the answers

According to social process theories, what is a common approach to crime prevention?

Implementing programs that teach conventional attitudes and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the critiques of critical criminology?

It lacks empirical support and relies too much on theoretical concepts. Signup and view all the answers

According to critical feminism, which societal structure influences crime rates?

Patriarchal society Signup and view all the answers

What is a central belief of social conflict theorists regarding the creation of laws?

Laws are shaped by conflicts to serve the interests of those in power Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of life-course theory in relation to criminality?

It considers the dynamic interactions between individual characteristics and social experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What does critical criminology suggest about the behavior of the wealthy?

The wealthy commit crimes to maintain their societal positions Signup and view all the answers

What does left realism view as a necessary component for protecting the lower classes?

State intervention and justice system Signup and view all the answers

According to life-course theory, what role do positive life experiences play in criminal behavior?

They may temporarily help some individuals desist from crime. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines peacemaking criminology?

A model that promotes humanism and reconciliation over retribution. Signup and view all the answers

According to labeling theory, what is secondary deviance?

Acceptance of negative labels as personal identity Signup and view all the answers

What common factor is NOT typically associated with problem behavior syndrome?

Educational achievements Signup and view all the answers

What does the restorative justice model focus on in crime prevention?

Reconciliation between victims and offenders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of social and political oppression in crime, according to conflict theory?

They produce crime by creating inequalities Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of latent trait theory?

It identifies a 'master trait' that contributes to a propensity for crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does social control theory suggest about weakened social bonds?

They allow youths to behave antisocially Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon results from the combination of family dysfunction and early substance abuse?

Problem behavior syndrome Signup and view all the answers

How do life-course theorists view the persistence of criminal behavior over time?

They believe it varies based on individual life experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the history of developmental theory?

It integrates biological, psychological, and social factors. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'escillation of offenses' refer to in the context of life-course theory?

The fluctuation in the severity of criminal acts over time. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social process theories view crime as a function of interactions with institutions and societal processes. Criminal behavior is learned through interactions and relationships, not inherent traits.
Socialization is key: destructive social relationships lead to criminality.
Improper socialization is crucial.

Social learning theory: People learn criminal behavior the same way they learn conventional behavior.
Social control theory: Analyzes the failure of society to control criminal tendencies.
Social reaction (labeling) theory: Negative labels like "criminal" produce criminal careers. Labels create expectations leading to self-fulfilling prophecy.

Family, School, and Peers

Troubled families are more crime-prone. Parental efficacy reduces crime. Divorce strains families.
School failure is linked to delinquency. Dropping out and school violence are problems.
Delinquent peers influence behavior; they may neutralize the fear of punishment. Popular and loners can have issues.

Beliefs and Crime

People with strong morals resist crime. Church attendance is related to lower crime rates.

Differential association theory: Criminality is learned by observing and interacting with individuals who engage in criminal behavior. Criminal activities are perceived as more acceptable compared to conventional ones.
Neutralization theory: Offenders learn techniques to rationalize and neutralize societal values to justify breaking the law.

Control theory states that individuals have the potential to become criminals, but their bonds to conventional society prevent it. Self-concept enhances commitment to conventional behavior.
Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief are key components of the social bond. Weakening these bonds leads to antisocial behaviors.

Criminality is promoted by negative labels from others.
Labels like criminal, ex-con, etc. can isolate individuals from society, lock them into an ongoing cycle of crime by creating expectations that the labeled person will act in that specific way, and the labeled person will be observed and suspected.
Eventually labeled people absorb those labels, which can lead to secondary deviance (more serious crime as a result of being labeled and identified in the system).

Crime Prevention

Social process theories influence social policy in treatment and community action programs. Some programs aim to teach conventional attitudes and behaviors while others improve the social bond in society.

Social conflict theorists view crime as a function of conflict and inequality.
Laws are created by those in power to protect their own rights and interests. All criminal acts have political undertones. Justice system is biased against the poor intended to protect the wealthy.
Critical criminologists focus on how capitalist systems create crime through competition and inequality.
The idea of state (organized) crime reflects criminal actions by state officials violating the trust of citizens.
Includes state-corporate crime.

Critical Criminology

Critiques of existing systems
Critique of structural and instrumental theories
Basic ideas of critical feminism
Understanding Left realism
Peacemaking criminology and restorative justice

Developmental Theory

This theory looks at criminal behavior as a dynamic process influenced by individual characteristics and social experiences.
It considers how crime develops and changes.
Life-course theory focuses on the onset, escalation, persistence, and desistance from crime, as well as the effect of turning points in life.
Latent trait theory focuses on a stable feature, characteristic, etc. that predisposes individuals to crime.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of social process theories that explain how interactions with family, school, and peers contribute to criminal behavior. This quiz delves into social learning, control, and labeling theories and their impact on society. Understanding these theories can shed light on the root causes of delinquency and crime.