Theories of Delinquency What to look for in

Theories of Delinquency

What to look for in a theory • What are the central concepts (causes) • Is theory empirically supported? – Survey research, experimental research • Does 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 1960 s/1970 s • 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 Mc. Kay • Methodology • Findings

The Decline and Resurgence • Decline in Popularity – Number of Criticisms (official data, classist/racist) • Resurgence (1980 s-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