Social Process Theories of

CrimeLecture 7

Looking Ahead… Historical background General assumptions Social Learning theories

Sutherland’s Differential Association Akers’ Differential Reinforcement Sykes’ and Matza’s Drift theory

Social Control theories Reckless’ Containment Theory Hirchi’s Social Bond Theory

Historical Background These theories reached their zenith in the

1960’s Self-report studies were revealing that

crime was not limited to lower class It became necessary to develop a theory

that could account for middle class crime as well.

General Assumptions Begin with the assumption that anyone is

capable of committing a crime. Argue that delinquency can be explained by the

socialization experiences of individuals Hence, they tend to focus on the immediate

social milieu of the individual--e.g., family, peer group, etc.

As such they focus on the process of becoming delinquent

Types of Social Process Theories Two broad types of process theories:

Social Learning Theories

Social Control Theories

Social Learning Theories: General Assumptions

General Features Children are not born with a tendency to want

to do bad Delinquency is a function of learning the

norms, values and behaviors associated with delinquency

Without opportunities to learn the values and techniques associated with delinquency, individuals would not become delinquent

Differential Association Theory Developed by Edwin Sutherland The theory:

Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons Principle part of learning takes place in intimate personal groups Learning includes: techniques of committing the crime and

the drives, values and motives Direction of drives and motives determined by relative

“definitions” (influences) favorable or unfavorable to law violation One becomes delinquent because of excess definitions favorable

to violating the law Differential associations vary in frequency, duration, priority,

and intensity. Process of learning delinquency involves same process as any

other learningEdwin Sutherland

Differential Reinforcement Theory Developed by Ron Akers Represents a synthesis between differential

association and operant conditioning The theory:

Behavior is reinforced with positive rewards Rewards are given and evaluated in interaction

with significant others Hence, the kinds of behavior that are

reinforced depend on one’s differential associationsRon Akers

Drift and Neutralization Theory Developed by Gresham Sykes and David Matza The Drift Hypothesis

Delinquents do not strictly adhere to delinquent cultural values, but are affected by both criminal and conventional values

Hence, delinquents find themselves in “drift” between the two sets of values

Subculture of delinquency provides the delinquent with a vocabulary to neutralize the demands of conventional society

Techniques of Neutralization Denial of responsibility Denial of injury Denial of victim Condemnation of condemner Appeal to higher loyalties

Gresham Sykes

David Matza

Social Control Theory:General Assumptions

Human beings are predisposed toward maximizing self-interest

Hence, everyone has the capacity to commit crime Most people don’t commit crime because of

constraining influences Hence, what is to be explained is not “Why do

some people engage in delinquency?” but “Why do most people not engage in delinquency?”

Containment Theory

Developed by Walter Reckless The Theory

“Pressures” and “pulls” toward delinquency are everywhere

Counteracting these pressures and pulls are “containments” of which there are two types:

outer containments--structural buffers, such as intact family, positive discipline, etc.

inner containments--internalized values, high frustration tolerance, etc.

Positive self concept as the critical containment insulating against delinquency.

Walter Reckless

Social Bond Theory Developed by Travis Hirschi The Theory:

Assumes that all people have the capacity to be delinquent

Preventing most people from engaging in delinquency is a “bonding” to conventional society

Hirschi identifies 4 elements to the social bond (next slide)

Travis Hirschi

The Social Bond

Elem ents of the Socia l Bond

Attachm entE m otion a l A ttach m en t tos ig n ifican t o th ers

C om m itm entE ffo rts an d E n erg ies

exp en d ed tow ard con ven tion a l g oa ls

Invo lvem entK eep in g b u sy a t

con ven tion a l ac tivit ies

Belie fC og n itive a ffirm ation o f

con ven tion a l va lu es

C onform ity

Attachm entE m otion a l A ttach m en t tos ig n ifican t o th e rs

C om m itm entE ffo rts an d E n erg ies

exp en d ed tow ard c on ven tion a l g oa ls

Involvem entK eep in g b u sy a t

con ven tion a l ac tivit ies

Belie fC og n it ive a ffirm a tion o f

con ven tion a l va lu es

D elinquency