Juvenile delinquency exam 2
questions n answers rated A+
Sutherland's differential Association Theory (1947) - ANS ✔Learn crime through interaction with
others. Social interaction is the driving force. Ex: learning techniques of crime and attitudes
about crime (picking locks). Becoming criminal bc of more law-breaking attitudes than law
abiding attitudes.
Ronald Akers (1985) Social Learning Theory - ANS ✔Combines ideas from Sutherland &
psychology. Main Modern Learning Theory.
Social Learning Theory 4 main concepts - ANS ✔1.Differential Association: Direct interactions
with family friends, others. Indirect identification with someone you admire.
2. Definitions: attitudes, meanings & justifications. Attached to behavior
3.Differential Reinforcement: (check other note card)
4. Imitation: Model/ copy someones behavior. More likely when like/admire person or see
person get rewarded for behavior.
Differential reinforcement - ANS ✔Rewards (reinforcement) and punishments. Present, past,
and anticipated. Tangible, symbolic, non-social. Symbolic-getting respect or getting less respect.
Friends saying you are cool or parents getting mad. Non-social- how does it feel to you, DO
alcohol feel good to you or bad to you. If you like it youll prob do it again.
Can be positive (get something). Or Negative(something removed) like parents taking away
something you want.
Reinforces (rewards): positive reward-money
Negative reward-Getting drunk or high to try and get rid of something you dont like or doing
bad on test and drinking after.
Positive punishment: getting arrested, doing community service.
, Negative punishment: take away phone, take your drugs, rehab.
What does research say? - ANS ✔Very well supported theory. Supported for ALL types of
deviant behavior: alcohol use, drug use, minor & serious crimes. Key variable= association with
delinquent peers.
Critique: Is the causal order wrong? Do you meet peers and then get corrupted by them? DO
you see out delinquent peers on purpose?
Control Theories - ANS ✔Assumes humans are rational & seek to maximize pleasure & minimize
pain. Most are not committing major crimes. People hold back due to controls (Cj system,
family, etc)
4 major types of controls - ANS ✔1. Direct Control: setting rules (parents, teachers). Monitoring.
Sanctioning delinquency, ex: parents grounding you.
2. Stake in conformity: Whatever you will lose by being delinquent. Emotional attachment to
conventional others. If more to lose, less likely to be delinquent.
3. Belief: Is crime wrong? if yes, then less likely to do it. If no, then lack morality.
4.Level of self control: low self- control: impulsive, seek thrills, immediate gratification, no
thought to consequences.
What does the research say about controls? - ANS ✔Some support for all concepts being linked
with delinquency. Size of relationship is not as strong as some other theories. Theories have had
a strong effect on social policy. Strengthening social bonds reduces crime in late adolescence
and well into adulthood.
What is in a label? - ANS ✔All emphasizes process of labeling. Draws from 2 sociological
perspectives, conflict and symbolic interactionism.
3 primary questions of labeling - ANS ✔1.) Why are some behaviors labeled deviant while
others are not?
questions n answers rated A+
Sutherland's differential Association Theory (1947) - ANS ✔Learn crime through interaction with
others. Social interaction is the driving force. Ex: learning techniques of crime and attitudes
about crime (picking locks). Becoming criminal bc of more law-breaking attitudes than law
abiding attitudes.
Ronald Akers (1985) Social Learning Theory - ANS ✔Combines ideas from Sutherland &
psychology. Main Modern Learning Theory.
Social Learning Theory 4 main concepts - ANS ✔1.Differential Association: Direct interactions
with family friends, others. Indirect identification with someone you admire.
2. Definitions: attitudes, meanings & justifications. Attached to behavior
3.Differential Reinforcement: (check other note card)
4. Imitation: Model/ copy someones behavior. More likely when like/admire person or see
person get rewarded for behavior.
Differential reinforcement - ANS ✔Rewards (reinforcement) and punishments. Present, past,
and anticipated. Tangible, symbolic, non-social. Symbolic-getting respect or getting less respect.
Friends saying you are cool or parents getting mad. Non-social- how does it feel to you, DO
alcohol feel good to you or bad to you. If you like it youll prob do it again.
Can be positive (get something). Or Negative(something removed) like parents taking away
something you want.
Reinforces (rewards): positive reward-money
Negative reward-Getting drunk or high to try and get rid of something you dont like or doing
bad on test and drinking after.
Positive punishment: getting arrested, doing community service.
, Negative punishment: take away phone, take your drugs, rehab.
What does research say? - ANS ✔Very well supported theory. Supported for ALL types of
deviant behavior: alcohol use, drug use, minor & serious crimes. Key variable= association with
delinquent peers.
Critique: Is the causal order wrong? Do you meet peers and then get corrupted by them? DO
you see out delinquent peers on purpose?
Control Theories - ANS ✔Assumes humans are rational & seek to maximize pleasure & minimize
pain. Most are not committing major crimes. People hold back due to controls (Cj system,
family, etc)
4 major types of controls - ANS ✔1. Direct Control: setting rules (parents, teachers). Monitoring.
Sanctioning delinquency, ex: parents grounding you.
2. Stake in conformity: Whatever you will lose by being delinquent. Emotional attachment to
conventional others. If more to lose, less likely to be delinquent.
3. Belief: Is crime wrong? if yes, then less likely to do it. If no, then lack morality.
4.Level of self control: low self- control: impulsive, seek thrills, immediate gratification, no
thought to consequences.
What does the research say about controls? - ANS ✔Some support for all concepts being linked
with delinquency. Size of relationship is not as strong as some other theories. Theories have had
a strong effect on social policy. Strengthening social bonds reduces crime in late adolescence
and well into adulthood.
What is in a label? - ANS ✔All emphasizes process of labeling. Draws from 2 sociological
perspectives, conflict and symbolic interactionism.
3 primary questions of labeling - ANS ✔1.) Why are some behaviors labeled deviant while
others are not?
