Seven Theories of Criminology
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This chapter explores seven theories of criminology related to the social environment and subculture. The differential association theory developed by U.S. criminologist Edwin Sutherland proposes that criminal behavior is learned from othersùparticularly from other criminalsùby internalizing and accepting definitions favorable to law violations. According to this theory, the more a person interacts with criminals and delinquents, the more he is likely to become a criminal or delinquent himself. Research seems to bear this out, with family and peer variables showing that such behaviors run in families. This theory expects attitudinal variables to show that criminals believe their crimes are more acceptable than for people in general, but research does not seem to be borne out in studies except in terms of illegal drug use. Race/ethnicity and social status are significant in that some groups have attitudes more favorable to law violations. Gender and age are not considered extremely relevant to differential association theory. One study showed results that suggest possible treatment; prosocial boys were allowed to encourage delinquent boys to adopt law-abiding behavior, and this resulted in a significant improvement in their behavior.Social learning theory is a product of B.F. SkinnerÆs behaviorism, which showed that schedules of reinforcement could be used to manipulate behavior in rats and pigeons. This theory takes into account the fact that animals and humans are
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o develop in a recognizable pattern with a central business district at the center, surrounded by a zone of transition, and then by working-class neighborhoods, followed by middle- and upper-class neighborhoods. Later theorists saw the business district and zone of transition as very conducive to crime. This theory predicts that crime will be highest in urban areas, among people who often change homes, in ethnically mixed or poor neighborhoods, in economic downturns, and among people who are unusually tolerant of deviance. The Chicago Area Project (CAP) was a treatment center that was never rigorously evaluated; no other treatment options are suggested.
Labeling theory asserts that when a person becomes labeled as a criminal, he internalizes this and it becomes part of his self-identity. This theory comprises the concepts of the looking-glass self and the self-fulfilling prophecy, a term coined by Frank Tannenbaum, a U.S. psychologist. According to this theory, people are more likely to offend once caught and ôlabeledö as offenders, but studies are mixed on this. The theory also assumes that offenders will have a negative self-image, but studies do not support this. The higher the status of a person, the less likely he is t
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Willem Bonger, Susan Brownmiller, Gerald Patterson, Albert Cohen, Edwin Sutherland, Ellis Walsh, Frank Tannenbaum, Manifesto MarxÆs, Robert Park, Richard Quinney, strain theory, favorable law violations, favorable law, law violations, critical theory, crime rates, learning theory, studies support, theory developed, according theory, radical theory, social learning theory, definitions favorable law, theory developed robert, differential association theory,
Approximate Word count = 2001
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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