Chapter Five:Social Interactionist Theories of Delinquency

Question 1

Social Interactionist Theories

Answer 1

Analyze society by addressing the subjective meaning that people impose on objects, events, and behaviors
People behave based on what they believe, and not just on what is objectively true
Society socially constructed through human interpretation
-Becker
-Labeling Theory

Question 2

Becker

Answer 2

Three main steps in deviant behavior.
First, the individual must learn how to do the behavior.
Next, the individual must be able to “recognize the effects” and be able to link them to the activity.
Lastly, the if the behavior is to continue, the individual must learn to enjoy such effects.
These are the steps that will lead to the continuation of the behavior, and may also lead to the exploration of other further deviant behaviors.

Question 3

Labeling Theory

Answer 3

Society creates delinquency through negatively labeling and stigmatizing individuals

Question 4

Conflict Theories

Answer 4

Delinquency can be explained in terms of class, power, authority, and group/cultural differences
-Radical Criminology
Power-Control Thesis
Theory of Differential Oppression
Culture Conflict Theory

Question 5

Radical Criminology

Answer 5

Crime is a justifiable reaction that seeks to challenge and overturn the captialist system

Question 6

Power-Theory Thesis

Answer 6

Authority of parents at work translates into conditions of dominance in the household and the degree of their parental control over their children

Question 7

Theory of Differential Oppression

Answer 7

Authority is unjustly used against children who must “adapt to adults” conceptions of what “good children are”

Question 8

Culture Conflict Thoery

Answer 8

Delinquency more frequent where there are many different group conduct norms, as the crime norms are set by the dominant group