Test 4

Question 1

What is the main purpose of Social Control Theory?

Answer 1

To understand why we DON’T engage in crime

Question 2

What is the basic definition of social control?

Answer 2

Any person regulating any other person’s behavior

Question 3

Why does Social Control Theory argue we don’t do crimes?

Answer 3

Social Control

Question 4

What are some examples of social control?

Answer 4

Flipping someone off, giving a nasty look, parenting, teaching

Question 5

What does Social Control Theory say are the biggest factors in social control?

Answer 5

Parents

Question 6

Who else is a factor in Social Control Theory?

Answer 6

Peers, School, and Neighborhood

Question 7

What is the basic thing Hirschi’s Social control theory says?

Answer 7

We have motivation to engage in crime, but do not because of social bonds

Question 8

What are Hirschi’s 4 social bonds?

Answer 8

Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief

Question 9

Define Attachment in Hirschi’s terms

Answer 9

Our social relationships prevent us from engaging in crime because we value their opinions

Question 10

Define Commitment in Hirschi’s terms

Answer 10

Provides a stake in conformity, things you wouldn’t want to lose

Question 11

Define Involvement in Hirschi’s terms

Answer 11

Because you are busy doing conventional activities, you do not have the time to engage in crime

Question 12

Define Belief in Hirschi’s terms

Answer 12

Through socialization, we learn what are good and bad behaviors

Question 13

What does Hirschi believe to be the cause of crime?

Answer 13

Weak social bonds

Question 14

What are the 2 things Gottfredson and Hirschi believe to cause crime?

Answer 14

Low self control and oppurtunity

Question 15

According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, what other traits are linked to having low self-control?

Answer 15

impulsivity, insensitivity, short-sightedness, increased risk taking

Question 16

Who do Gottfredson and Hirschi believe is responsible for someone’s self-control?

Answer 16

Parents

Question 17

Explain Opportunity in regards to Gottfredson and Hirschi’s theory

Answer 17

People age 15-20 have more time and more ability to commit crime

Question 18

Around what age do Gottfredson and Hirschi believe self-control stabilizes?

Answer 18

8-10

Question 19

List some policy implications for social control theory

Answer 19

Parenting skill programs, reality therapy, after-school programs, religious involvement, prosocial programs

Question 20

List the 4 components of Agnew’s strain theory

Answer 20

Source of strain, the effects of strain are cumulative, crime is not the only way to cope with strain, and negative emotions are the cause of crime

Question 21

List the 3 potential sources of strain according to Agnew

Answer 21

Failure to achieve goals, loss of positive stimuli, introducing negative stimuli

Question 22

What does Agnew mean when he argues that strain is cumulative?

Answer 22

If strains are clustered in time, recent, continuous, and great in magnitude, they will cause more negative emotion than any of these traits individually

Question 23

What are the 3 adaptations to strain in Agnew’s theory?

Answer 23

Behavioral, Cognitive, and Emotional

Question 24

What does Agnew claim criminals are low in?

Answer 24

social support, social control, and self-reflection

Question 25

What does Agnew claim is the most likely emotion to lead to crime?

Answer 25

Anger

Question 26

Give a general definition of the Theory of African American Offending

Answer 26

Because POC are discriminated against, they are under more strain and thus become more likely to commit crimes

Question 27

What does the Theory of African American Offending believe can reduce POC crime?

Answer 27

Racial socialization

Question 28

List some policy implications of both strain theories

Answer 28

provide coping skills, reduce strain, make life fairer, anger management classes, accessible therapy, addressing systemic racism

Question 29

Name the 2 types of offenders in Moffit’s Life Course Theory

Answer 29

Life course persistent and Adolescent limited

Question 30

Why does Moffit argue Life Course Persistent offenders engage in crime?

Answer 30

Neurological deficits, cumulative continuity

Question 31

List the 3 person-environment interactions of Moffit’s Life Course Theory

Answer 31

Reactive, Evocative, Proactive

Question 32

Why does Moffit argue adolescent limited offenders engage in crime?

Answer 32

maturity gap and social mimicking

Question 33

Why does Moffit argue adolescent limited offenders stop engaging in crime?

Answer 33

state dependence (age out of certain crimes)

Question 34

List the 5 main components of Sampson and Laub’s Age-Grade Theory of Social Control

Answer 34

Weak social bonds, family influence, structural and independent factors, cumulative continuity, desistance

Question 35

Explain cumulative continuity

Answer 35

individual choices have consequences that last throughout life

Question 36

What structural factors do Sampson and Laub believe influence offending?

Answer 36

low family income, family deviance, mother’s employment, residential mobility, and family size

Question 37

What do Sampson and Laub believe stops offenders from engaging in crime?

Answer 37

Forming good social bonds

Question 38

What are some policy implications of Sampson and Laub’s Age-Grade Theory of Social Control?

Answer 38

Prenatal care, nurturing parental programs, reducing parental abuse, decreasing prison sentences