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Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice
CJ 3650 CJ 3650
Professor James DrylieProfessor James Drylie
ChapterChapter 55
Social Theories of DelinquencySocial Theories of Delinquency
�� There are four major types of theories There are four major types of theories
�� Social structureSocial structure
�� Social processSocial process
�� Life courseLife course
�� Social reaction Social reaction
Social Structure TheorySocial Structure Theory
�� Focus on the economic and social Focus on the economic and social conditions in which lowerconditions in which lower--class youth live.class youth live.
�� Examines why lowerExamines why lower--class youth are more class youth are more likely to commit crime than middlelikely to commit crime than middle-- and and upperupper--class youth.class youth.
�� There are three social structure theories:There are three social structure theories:�� EcologicalEcological
�� Strain Strain
�� Subculture Subculture
Ecological TheoryEcological Theory
�� Seeks to explain delinquency based on Seeks to explain delinquency based on
where where it occurs.it occurs.
�� Shaw and McKayShaw and McKay’’s social disorganization s social disorganization
theory is the most prominent theory.theory is the most prominent theory.
�� They argued that the ecological conditions in They argued that the ecological conditions in
city/urban life influenced delinquency.city/urban life influenced delinquency.
�� Developed the Developed the Concentric Zone TheoryConcentric Zone Theory
Zone 5
Zone 4
Zone 3
Zone 2
Zone 1
Zone 2 is the zone in transition and this zone consistently has
the highest rates of delinquency.
Zone 1 – Factories,
central business
district.
Zone 2 – Oldest area
of city, invaded by
business as Z1
expands.
Zone 3 – Working
people’s homes.
Zone 4 – Residential
areas.
Zone 5 – Commuter
zone, suburbs.
Cultural Heterogeneity Cultural Heterogeneity �� Shaw and McKay identified three characteristics Shaw and McKay identified three characteristics
of the zone in transition that may contribute to of the zone in transition that may contribute to
increases in delinquencyincreases in delinquency
�� Cultural HeterogeneityCultural Heterogeneity
�� A lack of interaction between cultural groups. Can foster a A lack of interaction between cultural groups. Can foster a
lack of collective efficacy.lack of collective efficacy.
�� MobilityMobility
�� When people progress economically there is the tendency to When people progress economically there is the tendency to
advance socially. Leads to high turnover in interstitial areas advance socially. Leads to high turnover in interstitial areas
(where industry, commerce and residents coexist)(where industry, commerce and residents coexist)
�� Poverty Poverty
�� The interstitial area maintains higher levels of people living The interstitial area maintains higher levels of people living
at or near poverty levels. Delinquency is often higher in at or near poverty levels. Delinquency is often higher in
these areas. these areas.
Strain Theory Strain Theory �� Sees delinquency as a result of a lack of Sees delinquency as a result of a lack of
opportunity.opportunity.
�� Those who do not have equal opportunity are Those who do not have equal opportunity are
““strainedstrained”” and consequently are more likely to and consequently are more likely to
commit delinquent acts.commit delinquent acts.
�� MortonMorton’’s Strain Theory s Strain Theory –– blocked opportunity theoryblocked opportunity theory
�� Merton identifies the cultural goal of American society as Merton identifies the cultural goal of American society as
economic success. People who are blocked develop economic success. People who are blocked develop
adaptations:adaptations:
�� ConformityConformity
�� RitualismRitualism
�� InnovationInnovation
�� RetreatismRetreatism
�� Rebellion Rebellion
MertonMerton’’s Modes of Adaptation s Modes of Adaptation �� Conformity Conformity –– accepts the cultural goal and accepts the cultural goal and means to achieve successmeans to achieve success
�� Ritualism Ritualism –– rejects goal but accepts meansrejects goal but accepts means
�� Innovation Innovation –– accepts goal but not the accepts goal but not the meansmeans
�� RetreatismRetreatism –– rejects both goals and meansrejects both goals and means
�� Rebellion Rebellion –– rejects goals and means and rejects goals and means and substitutes new goals and means substitutes new goals and means
AgnewAgnew’’s General Strain Theorys General Strain Theory�� Focuses more on delinquencyFocuses more on delinquency
�� Success for juveniles may be different than that of Success for juveniles may be different than that of
adultsadults
�� Crime and delinquency may be a response to Crime and delinquency may be a response to
negative affective states that are adverse negative affective states that are adverse
emotions:emotions:
�� AngerAnger
�� FrustrationFrustration
�� DisappointmentDisappointment
�� Depression Depression
�� FearFear
Subculture Theory Subculture Theory
�� A subculture is A subculture is asetaset of values, norms, and of values, norms, and
beliefs that differ from those within the beliefs that differ from those within the
dominant culture.dominant culture.
�� Three subculture theories are:Three subculture theories are:
�� Delinquency & frustrationDelinquency & frustration
�� Differential opportunity Differential opportunity
�� LowerLower--class focal concern class focal concern
Delinquency and frustrationDelinquency and frustration�� Albert Cohen believed that people from Albert Cohen believed that people from
the lower class had different values, the lower class had different values,
norms, and beliefs than those in other norms, and beliefs than those in other
classes. classes.
�� He argued that the goal of lower class He argued that the goal of lower class
members is middlemembers is middle--class membership.class membership.
�� The primary means to achieve this goal is The primary means to achieve this goal is
through education. However, these children through education. However, these children
are often evaluated using middleare often evaluated using middle--class class
standards. standards.
�� Ambition, responsibility, deferred gratification, Ambition, responsibility, deferred gratification,
courtesy, control aggression, respect for property.courtesy, control aggression, respect for property.
Differential Opportunity Differential Opportunity
�� ClowardCloward and and OhlinOhlin’’ss focus was on serious focus was on serious delinquency committed by urban, male delinquency committed by urban, male gang members.gang members.
�� Saw two goals pursued by lowerSaw two goals pursued by lower--class class youth:youth:�� Economic successEconomic success
�� MiddleMiddle--class membership class membership �� The inability to rely on legitimate means to achieve The inability to rely on legitimate means to achieve these goals often results in the forming of these goals often results in the forming of delinquent subcultures. delinquent subcultures.
Types of gangsTypes of gangs
�� The values, norms, and beliefs of the The values, norms, and beliefs of the subculture and the neighborhood in which subculture and the neighborhood in which the group lives and the access to the group lives and the access to legitimate means often determines the legitimate means often determines the type of gangstype of gangs
�� Three types:Three types:�� CriminalCriminal
�� ConflictConflict
�� RetreatistRetreatist
LowerLower--class focal concerns class focal concerns �� Walter Miller studied lowerWalter Miller studied lower--class areas in Boston class areas in Boston
in the midin the mid--1950s1950s
�� Society is composed of various social groups, Society is composed of various social groups,
each with distinctive subcultures.each with distinctive subcultures.
�� Identified six focal concerns of lowerIdentified six focal concerns of lower--class class
subculture:subculture:
�� TroubleTrouble
�� ToughnessToughness
�� SmartnessSmartness
�� ExcitementExcitement
�� FateFate
�� Autonomy Autonomy
Social process theory Social process theory
�� Focuses on the relationship between Focuses on the relationship between
socialization and delinquencysocialization and delinquency
�� Two primary branches:Two primary branches:
�� Learning theoryLearning theory
�� Social control theory Social control theory
Learning TheoryLearning Theory
�� Juveniles commit delinquent acts because Juveniles commit delinquent acts because
they learnthey learn
�� AttitudesAttitudes
�� Skills Skills
�� Rationalizations Rationalizations
�� This learning takes place in interaction withThis learning takes place in interaction with
�� ParentsParents
�� Peers Peers
Differential Association Differential Association �� Edward Sutherland asserted that Edward Sutherland asserted that
delinquency is a function of learning, not a delinquency is a function of learning, not a
function of economic success or location. function of economic success or location.
Nine propositions:Nine propositions:
�� Behavior is learnedBehavior is learned
�� Behavior is learned through interaction with Behavior is learned through interaction with
othersothers
�� Learned criminal behavior occurs in Learned criminal behavior occurs in initimateinitimate
groupsgroups
�� Learning includes techniques, motives, drivesLearning includes techniques, motives, drives
�� Learning is reinforced through favorable or Learning is reinforced through favorable or
unfavorable definitionsunfavorable definitions
�� An excess of unfavorable definitions An excess of unfavorable definitions
increases the chance of differential increases the chance of differential
associationassociation
�� Differential association varies in Differential association varies in
frequency, duration, priority, and intensityfrequency, duration, priority, and intensity
�� Process of learning is same Process of learning is same –– good or badgood or bad
�� Delinquency is an expression of general Delinquency is an expression of general
needs and values needs and values
Social Control TheorySocial Control Theory
�� Assumes that people will violate the law.Assumes that people will violate the law.
�� Yet, not all people do.Yet, not all people do.
�� Why?Why?
�� The answer lies in the strength of a personThe answer lies in the strength of a person’’s s
ties to the foundation of ties to the foundation of
�� FamilyFamily
�� FriendsFriends
�� School School
�� Containment TheoryContainment Theory
�� Internal and external Internal and external
forces operate when forces operate when
juveniles make juveniles make
decisions to avoid or decisions to avoid or
commit delinquencycommit delinquency
�� HirschiHirschi’’ss Social Social
Control/Social Control/Social
BondingBonding
�� People usually do not People usually do not
commit delinquent commit delinquent
acts because this acts because this
behavior can damage behavior can damage
relationships relationships
�� GottfredsonGottfredson & &
HirschiHirschi’’ss SelfSelf--Control Control
TheoryTheory
�� The tendency to The tendency to
commit crime and commit crime and
delinquency is found in delinquency is found in
the level of selfthe level of self--
control.control.
Life Course Theory Life Course Theory �� Focuses on the onset and termination of Focuses on the onset and termination of
delinquency at different stages in life:delinquency at different stages in life:
�� ChildhoodChildhood
�� Adolescence Adolescence
�� Adulthood Adulthood
�� Draws on several theoriesDraws on several theories
�� BiologicalBiological
�� PsychologicalPsychological
�� Social Social
Social Reaction TheorySocial Reaction Theory�� Examine the role that social institutions Examine the role that social institutions play in perpetuating delinquent behavior.play in perpetuating delinquent behavior.�� Labeling theoryLabeling theory
�� Emphasizes explanations of why certain laws are Emphasizes explanations of why certain laws are passed and enforced and why police and juvenile passed and enforced and why police and juvenile courts process some offenders but others do not.courts process some offenders but others do not.
�� Looks at the unanticipated and negative consequences of Looks at the unanticipated and negative consequences of the label that is attached to certain offenders. the label that is attached to certain offenders.
�� Conflict theory Conflict theory �� Believe that delinquent behavior is due to conflict Believe that delinquent behavior is due to conflict in society that arises form an unfair distribution of in society that arises form an unfair distribution of wealth and power. wealth and power.
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