exam 3 content

Question 1

what is the assumption of social process theories?

Answer 1

-crime is a function of people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society

Question 2

what is the assumption of social learning theories?

Answer 2

-criminal behavior, like any type of behavior, is learned

Question 3

three components of Akers’ social learning theory?

Answer 3

differential association: individual is being socialized by a group of people who engage in deviant behavior
differential reinforcement: balance of actual and anticipated rewards that follow a behavior. can be social or nonsocial
definitions: attitudes and meaning that a person attaches to a behavior. can be general, specific, or neutralizations

Question 4

assumptions of the neutralization perspective? identify and explain all five

Answer 4

denial of responsibility: individual fails to accept responsibility for their actions, blaming them on forces beyond their control. ie poverty or family
denial of injury: individual claims that no one is harmed by their actions ie just “borrowing” a car
denial of victim: justifying actions by claiming that the individual had it coming to them
condemnation of condemners: individual shifts the focus of those who condemn their actions
appeal to higher loyalties: individual justifies actions by claiming they meet demands of a group they belong to ie gang members of police conduct

Question 5

drift definition

Answer 5

a condition of limbo between a conventional lifestyle and criminal or deviant lifestyle with no strong attachment to either

Question 6

techniques of neutralization definition

Answer 6

justifications or rationalizations used by the individual prior to the criminal act that render ineffective by the moral reprehension associated with the act. protects their self-image and avoids blame

Question 7

broken home definition

Answer 7

a household that is not intact because of the death of a parent, divorce, separation, or illegitimacy

Question 8

religiosity definition

Answer 8

the degree to which one expresses an earnest or sincere regard for religion

Question 9

assumptions on social bond theory? identify and explain four elements and which is most criticized

Answer 9

assumes all people have a natural inclination to engage in criminal behavior

attachment: emotional ties that an individual has to significant others
commitment: the time, effort, and energy spent making investments in conventional lines of action
involvement: amount of time an individual spends engaging in conventional activities (most criticized)
belief: the acceptance of conventional morality and value systems

Question 10

explain results of research on family and religiosity and crime/delinquency

Answer 10

family relations seems to be the most important in determining whether or not a child will become delinquent. communication, interpersonal relationships, and emotional support are important
religiosity: frequent attendees lower rate of crime, jews lower than christians, protestants lower than catholics, people who believe in an afterlife lower crime rate

Question 11

what do social reaction theories assume? discuss the labeling process.

Answer 11

assumes that no act itself is inherently criminal or non-criminal
labeling process - (howard becker) primary deviance and seconday deviance
labels can create sulf fulfilling prophecy and can also engage in the dramatization of evil

Question 12

link the following names to their major theoretical contribution
sutherland
sykes and matza
hirschi
howard becker

Answer 12

social learning theory (principle of differential association)
neutralization techniques and how criminal have a commitment to conventional lifestyles
social bond theory
social reaction theory and labeling

Question 13

primary deviance definition

Answer 13

deviant acts that do not redefine the self and public image of the offender

Question 14

secondary deviance definition

Answer 14

deviant acts that redefine the offender’s self and public image, forming the basis of his or her self concept

Question 15

self fulfilling prophecy definition

Answer 15

a response to an earlier labeling experience, the youth is living out the role bestowed upon them, acting on their label

Question 16

status degradation ceremony definition

Answer 16

a ritual in which the identity of an offender is transformed into something looked on as lower in the scheme of social types

Question 17

what is the criteria for first degree murder? what is the criteria for second degree murder?

Answer 17

1st: premeditation and deliberation
2nd: malice aforethought

Question 18

discuss david luckenbill’s ideas on the cause of homicide

Answer 18

homicide is a “situated transaction” which is the accumulations of a chain of discrete actions and reactions by participants

Question 19

how is rape defined under common law? official data on rape?

Answer 19

“the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly or against her will”
definition is highly restrictive
UCR reports 90,000 rapes a year
only a third of rapes reported. 40% reports result in arrest
15% are unfounded

Question 20

identify and explain the four types of rapists

Answer 20

exploitative rapist: rape is an impulsive and predatory act with the victim serving only as an object of sexual gratification
compensatory rapist: obsessed with fantasies and feels very inadequate
displaced anger rapist: rape expresses their displaced anger and rage
sadistic rapist: sexual feelings are linked to aggression

Question 21

data on robbery

Answer 21

FBI records about 440,000 a year
down 40% from all time high
bank robbery average take $4,029
under reporting issues

Question 22

discuss decker and wright’s research on robbery

Answer 22

st. louis
men are rational decision makers
targets are vulnerable, accessible, and profitable
motivated by a pressing need for cash
endless quest for stimulation

Question 23

discuss acquaintance robbery

Answer 23

victims may not call police because of own criminal involvement
street justice - robber has grievance against the victim
have knowledge that victim will be a good take

Question 24

data on assault and battery

Answer 24

800,000 cases per year
NCVS reports about 4 million
weapons most commonly used are blunt instruments and hands and feet

Question 25

child maltreatment

Answer 25

a blanket concept referring to both abuse and neglect

Question 26

child molester

Answer 26

any adult who engages in any type of sexual contact with an individual who is legally defined as a child

Question 27

assault

Answer 27

either attempted battery or intentionally frightening the victim by word or deed (actual touching not involved)

Question 28

battery

Answer 28

offensive touching, such as slapping, hitting, or punching a victim (actual physical violence)

Question 29

felony murder doctrine

Answer 29

if a death occurs during the comission of a felony, person involved in the primary offense may be charged with murder in the first degree

Question 30

premeditation

Answer 30

planning a criminal act after careful thought, rather than carrying it out on impulse

Question 31

malice aforethought

Answer 31

the intent to cause bodily harm

Question 32

neglect

Answer 32

not providing a child with the care or shelter they are entitled to

Question 33

pedophilia

Answer 33

normally defined as a sexual preference for children

Question 34

felony murder doctrine

Answer 34

if a death occurs during the commission of a felony, person involved in the primary offense may be charged with murder in the first degree