Theories of Delinquency

What to look for in a theory What are the central concepts (causes) Is the theory empirically supported? –Survey research, experimental research Does the theory make an assumption about human nature? What are the policy implications? –Every theory has a policy implication –Every policy implication is derived from a theory

Individual Level Sociological Theories: The Big 3 –Social Learning Theory –Social Control Theory –Strain/Anomie Theory Others: –Deterrence Theory –Labeling Theory

Social Learning Theory Edwin Sutherland –Differential Association Theory –Crime learned in intimate personal groups Communication, “definitions” and techniques Ronald Akers’ Social Learning Theory –Differential Associations, Definitions, Imitation, Differential Reinforcement (Process)

Evaluating Social Learning Empirical Support –Delinquent Values, Delinquent Peers Assumptions about human nature? Policy implications? –Use learning to shape behavior away from crime and towards prosocial activity

Strain Theory Robert K. Merton –Social Structure and Anomie –The “American Dream” is criminogenic –Modes of Adaptation Rebellion Innovation Retreatism Heavily Criticized: –Why do people adapt do strain differently? –Only explain lower class, economic crime –Poor empirical support

Evaluating Strain Agnew’s General Strain Theory Strain = stress, some people better equipped to handle stress More empirical support Policy implication of strain theories? Assumption about human nature?

Informal Social Control Theory “Control” theories Three Types of Informal Social Control –Direct –Indirect –Internal Hirschi’s social bond theory Gottfredson and Hirschi’s “Low Self-Control” Gerald Patterson’s Social Interactional Theory

Evaluating Control Theory Direct Control Supported Most (parenting) Some support for “bonds” Assumption about human nature? Policy Implications?

Review of the “Big 3” Social Learning Theory Social Control Theory Strain Theory

Deterrence Theory Like “control” theory, but emphasize formal control –Swift Certain Severe punishment reduces crime –Specific vs. General Deterrence –“Marginal Deterrence”

Evaluating Deterrence General Deterrence –Death penalty, clearance rates (certainty), etc Specific Deterrence –Regular probation vs. ISP –The effect of “arrest” or “imprisonment” Sherman’s D.V. studies Policy Implications? Assumption about human nature?

Rational Choice Theory Flipside of Deterrence: –How “rational” are delinquents? The “criminal event” and “criminal involvement” Policy Implication of the Criminal Event –“Situational Crime Prevention”

Labeling Theory Context of the 1960s/1970s Theory with “ironic twist” –Government intervention designed to help kids actually makes matters worse Arrest  change in self concept  change in behavior (secondary deviance)

Evaluating Labeling Empirical tests difficult –Effect of arrest? (See p. 90 of book) Assumption about human nature? Policy Implications –OJJDP 1974 –The “Four D’s”

Recent Revisions of Labeling “Informal” labeling John Braithewaite –Crime Shame and Reintegration –“Reintegrative Shaming” Deterrence and labeling theory both wrong…and both right

Macro Level Explanations Focus on differences in group rates across some “aggregate” –State, city, neighborhood, country –Example: Social Disorganization Theory

History of Social D. Chicago School of Crime –Theories of the “city” and the “immigrant” –Concentric Zones and city growth –Shaw and McKay Methodology Findings

The Decline and Resurgence Decline in Popularity –Number of Criticisms (official data, classist/racist) Resurgence (1980s-present) –Recast as “social control” –Consistent empirical support Ecological  Social Control  Crime (Collective Efficacy) Policy Implications? The “Truly Disadvantaged” and Concentration of Poverty

What to Make of Poverty, Unemployment, or SES Cox et al. Book: Delinquency spread evenly across classes: Is this true? –Self-report data (limitations) –Individual vs. Aggregate (neighborhoods) Hinges on what type of delinquency you are talking about New role of poverty in theory –Old theory rather simplistic (blocked opportunity) –Newer: effects on family, neighborhood, catch up with children

Psychological Theories Behaviorism (Overlap with learning and control theories in sociology) –Operant conditioning = “direct control” –Vicarious learning = “social learning” Personality IQ Cognitive –Again, overlap with sociological theory

Biological Explanations Genetics Neurological Deficits Biological Harms –Pre/Perinatal risk –Toxins (Lead) Theories? “Biosocial” –Moffitt’s Dual Taxonomy

Feminist Theory Feminist theory and the JJS Feminism and Theories of Delinquency –The Gender Ratio –The Gender Gap

Debates Doing Research—Specific Web sites, what is a “good” source