Understanding Criminal Behavior Flashcards
The theory of differential association is used frequently to explain white-collar criminality. Which of the following is one of the assertions or principles of differential association?
A. Learning is the same as pure imitation.
B. Criminal behavior is acquired through participation with intimate personal groups.
C. Criminal behavior is explained by an individual’s general needs and values.
D. People are genetically predisposed to be criminals.
B. Criminal behavior is acquired through participation with intimate personal groups.
The theory of differential association was developed by criminologist Edwin Sutherland. It states that: (1) criminal behavior is learned; (2) it is learned from other people in a process of communication; (3) criminal behavior is acquired through participation with intimate personal groups; (4) the learning process includes the shaping of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes; (5) motives are learned from definitions of legal codes as being favorable or unfavorable; (6) a person becomes a criminal because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of the law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law; (7) differential association may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity; (8) learning criminal behavior involves all the mechanisms of other learning; (9) learning differs from pure imitation; and (10) while criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by these needs and values.
To show appreciation for an employee’s hard work, a manager exempts the individual from several undesirable administrative tasks. This is an example of positive reinforcement. T/F
False
Reinforcement and punishment of behavior are distinguished by the way that positive and negative forces are applied. A positive reinforcement presents a positive stimulus in exchange for the desired response. For example, a parent might say to a child, “You’ve cleaned your room. Good. Here’s the key to the car.” The behavior (cleaning) is reinforced by the awarding of the positive stimulus (the car key). In contrast, a negative reinforcement withdraws a negative stimulus in exchange for the desired response. Continuing the example, the parent might say, “I’ll stop hassling you if you clean this room.” The negative stimulus (hassling) is withdrawn when the appropriate behavior is performed.
A behaviorist view of the workplace advocates the use of incentive programs and task-related bonuses as a way to deter employees from ethical and legal violations.
T/F
True
Emotions, according to behavioral pioneer B. F. Skinner, are a predisposition for people’s actions. And since the emotional associations of any event are important factors in conditioning behavior, the associations can be manipulated in conditioning the behavior. The behaviorist view proposes that, when managers are faced with disgruntled employees, they can modify these emotional circumstances with adequate compensation and recognition of workers’ accomplishments. Incentive programs and task-related bonuses follow this principle, assuming that employees who feel challenged and rewarded by their jobs will produce more work at a higher quality and are less likely to violate the law.
Which of the following is true according to differential reinforcement theory?
A. Behavior is reinforced by negative stimuli.
B. Behavior is weakened when punishment is avoided.
C. Behavior is reinforced when rewards are gained.
D. Behavior is weakened by positive stimuli.
C. Behavior is reinforced when rewards are gained.
According to the differential reinforcement theory, people learn social behavior by operant conditioning, behavior controlled by stimuli that follow the behavior. Behavior is reinforced when positive rewards are gained or punishment is avoided (negative reinforcement). It is weakened by negative stimuli (punishment) and loss of reward (negative punishment). Whether deviant or criminal behavior is begun or persists depends on the degree to which it has been rewarded or punished and the rewards or punishments attached to its alternatives.
According to the social control theory, the more important that social relationships are to a person, the less likely it is that the person will commit crimes. T/F
True
Travis Hirschi, in his book, Causes of Delinquency, first articulated the social control theory. According to Hirschi, this theory “assumes the
bond of affection for conventional persons is a major deterrent to crime. The stronger this bond, the more likely the person is to take it into account when and if he contemplates a criminal act.” What essentially happens, the theory suggests, is that people confronted with the possibility of violating a law are likely to ask themselves questions such as “What will my spouse—or my mother and father—think if they find out?” To the extent that individuals believe that other people whose opinions are important to them will be disappointed or ashamed, and to the extent that they care deeply that these people will feel this way, they will be deterred from committing a criminal act.
According to B. F. Skinner’s behaviorist theories, destructive workplace behavior, such as fraud, can be deterred by rewarding honesty and openness. T/F
True
Skinner says we can condition incompatible behavior that interferes with the person’s usual acts. Instead of punishing a child’s emotional tantrums, for example, the behaviorist rewards the child for controlling emotional outbursts; we drive the tantrums into extinction by not responding, and reinforce the stoical behavior. A destructive behavior is offset by an incompatible productive one. Since fraud involves dishonesty, secretiveness, and antagonistic behaviors, the astute manager finds ways to reward the opposite behaviors—honesty, openness, and cooperation.
Which of the following is regarded as the essential factor that makes a leader’s authority effective?
A. Legitimacy
B. Ability to instill fear in subordinates
C. Strong morals
D. Experience in similar roles
A. Legitimacy
Legitimacy is regarded as the essential ingredient in what gives governments and leaders authority. The idea is that if the authorities have legitimacy, the public will obey the law. Effective authorities recognize that without the goodwill of those they serve, they could not function. Consequently, their aim must be to maximize compliance and minimize hostility toward laws and rules while gaining legitimacy in the eyes of the public. Any leader who wants to effectively govern must have legitimacy with his subordinates. Otherwise, compliance will not occur.
Which of the following behavioral responses involves withdrawing a positive stimulus or applying a negative stimulus in response to an undesired behavior?
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. None of the above
C. Punishment
Reinforcement and punishment of behavior are distinguished by the way that positive and negative forces are applied. A positive reinforcement presents a positive stimulus in exchange for the desired response. For example, a parent might say to a child, “You’ve cleaned your room. Good. Here’s the key to the car.” The behavior (cleaning) is reinforced by the awarding of the positive stimulus (the car key). In contrast, a negative reinforcement withdraws a negative stimulus in exchange for the desired response. Continuing the example, the parent might say, “I’ll stop hassling you if you clean this room.” The negative stimulus (hassling) is withdrawn when the appropriate behavior is performed.
In an act of punishment, the polarities, so to speak, are reversed. Punishment involves withdrawing a positive stimulus or applying a negative stimulus in response to an undesired behavior. For example, faced with an undesired behavior, the punisher applies a negative stimulus. A father, hearing his son use profanity, puts a bar of soap into the boy’s mouth. Punishment may also be administered by withdrawing a positive stimulus, such as “Your room is still filthy, so you can’t use the car.”
