Week 5 exercises

Question 1

What are the mechanisms by which peers can influence criminal behavior, according to Akers (2011)?

Answer 1

• Differential reinforcement (rewarded by friends)
• Imitation (copying CB of their peers)
• Definitions (same interpretation of CB as their friends, seen as cool)
• Differential association (influenced by people who commit crimes)

Question 2

What does changing schools mean for CB?

Answer 2

Changing schools will lead to a decline in CB, because you have to meet new people and be prosocial in order for them to like you.

Question 3

How do the findings of Freelin (2023) relate to Moffitt’s two pathway theory?

Answer 3

Some adolescents are experiencing a decrease in delinquency because they are transitioning into a more pro-social adult like behavior pattern (adolesence limited)

Question 4

How do the findings of Freelin (2023) relate to Gottfredson and Hirschi theory of self control?

Answer 4

They argue that low self-control is a key factor in explaining CB. Maybe people that transition develop higher levels of self-control.

Question 5

How do the findings of Freelin (2023) relate to environmental criminology?

Answer 5

Maybe the change in a new social environment leads to less opportunities.

Question 6

How do the findings of Engel (2023) relate to Moffitt’s two pathway theory?

Answer 6

According to Moffitt some individuals engage in CB due to deviant peers. So that is in line with the findings on Engel

Question 7

How do the findings of Engel (2023) relate to self control theory by Gottfredson and Hirschi?

Answer 7

Individuals with low self-control are more likely to be influenced by their peers, and thus earlier committing CB

Question 8

How do the findings of Engel (2023) relate to environmental criminology?

Answer 8

They do not relate because environmental is about place and events, while the findings of engel are about peer effects.

Question 9

Come up with a policy that can reduce CB, based on the findings of Engel (2023).

Answer 9

Peer mentorship: older adolescents with prosocial behavior as peer mentors.

Question 10

Come up with a policy that can reduce CB, based on the findings of Freelin (2023)

Answer 10

The problem is with people who do not transition to another school, and therefore don’t have to show prosocial behavior. Implement a PBS (prosocial behavior support) system, which rewards prosocial behavior on schools.

Question 11

What mechanisms are expected to work with the intervention program scared straight?

Answer 11

Rational choice and self-control