1. Lesson 7 – Social Process Theories
Robert Wonser
Introduction to Criminology
Crime and Delinquency

2. Introduction Social process explanations
Crime result of interaction between individuals
Micro-level view

3. Learning Theories Focus on socialization Differential association
Differential identification
Social learning
Differential reinforcement

4. Edwin H. Sutherland Differential Association Propositions
Criminal behavior is learned
Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication

5. Differential Association
Propositions:
The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups
When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes (a) the techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple; and (b) the specific direction of motives, drives, and attitudes

6. Differential Association
Propositions
The specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable
A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to the violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law

7. Differential Association
Propositions
Differential association may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity
The process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anticriminal patterns involves all the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning

8. Differential Association
Propositions
Although criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by these general needs and values, because noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values

9. Evaluating Differential Association
One of the most notable criminological theories
Stressed social nature of crime
Has received a great deal of empirical support

10. Criticisms of Differential Association
Causal order
Self-selection and friends
Group nature of crime
Difficulty in testing theoretical concepts
Emphasis on male subjects

11. Other Learning Theories
Differential identification
Daniel Glaser
Crime a function of reference groups
Values, attitudes, and behaviors to copy

12. Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura
Theory of aggression
Aggression is learned, not biological

13. Differential Reinforcement
Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L. Akers
Merged differential association and psychological idea of reinforcement
Would later become the more recognized, contemporary social learning theory

14. Evaluation of Other Social Learning Theories
Very popular variety of theories
Causal ordering issues
Reasons for peer influence
Not all criminal behavior stems from peer influences

15. Control Theories
Some Enlightenment theorists thought people are naturally selfish and capable of committing crime and other antisocial behavior
Why do people not become criminals?
Personal and social controls
Social institutions

16. Containment Theory Walter Reckless Key concepts Inner containments
Outer containments
Internal pushes
External pressures
External pulls

17. Evaluation of Containment Theory
Which comes first, self-concepts or criminality?
Does positive self-concept prevent delinquency?
Lack of empirical evidence

18. Neutralization Theory
Gresham M. Sykes and David Matza
Focus on delinquent guilt and shame
Delinquents neutralize guilt through:
Denial of responsibility
Denial of injury
Denial of the victim
Condemnation of the condemners
Appeal to higher loyalties

20. Drift Theory David Matza Extension of neutralization theory
Delinquents drift in and out of criminal behavior

21. Evaluation of Neutralization/Drift Theories
Popular ideas
When does the neutralization occur?
Before or after criminal act?
Serious offenders do not necessarily experience guilt
Has some empirical support

22. Social Bonding Theory Travis Hirschi
Most popular criminological theory today
Focus on:
Attachment - Sensitivity to and interest in others
Commitment - Time, energy, and effort spent in conventional activities
Involvement - Morals, values, belief in the law
Belief - Participation in convention activities

24. Evaluation of Social Bonding
Has researched males and females
Criticisms:
Relationship between crime and bonding is weak
Are bonds weak or weakened by crime
Interrelationship between commitment and involvement
Does not explain geographical differences in crime

25. Self-Control Theory Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi
General theory of crime
Crime stems from a lack of self-control
Focus on impulsivity

26. Evaluation of Self-Control Theory
One of the most popular theories today
Circular reasoning
Effects of low self-control are not very strong
Low self-control a constant over the life- course?
Assumption that all crime is spontaneous and unskilled