week 5: readings Flashcards
What are the four dimensions of the social bond according to Hirschi’s social control theory?
Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief
These bonds help prevent individuals from engaging in delinquent acts.
How do strain theories explain deviant behaviour?
Deviant behaviour results from discrepancies between cultural goals and the means to achieve them.
Frustration from denied opportunities can lead to deviant behaviour.
According to Hirschi, what is the best predictor of criminal behaviour?
Prior criminal behaviour
This suggests that past crimes increase the likelihood of future crimes.
What is the core argument of social disorganization theory?
Societies differ in their ability to socialize and control members.
Organized societies have lower rates of deviance compared to disorganized ones.
How did Gottfredson and Hirschi define ‘self-control’?
The tendency to avoid acts whose long-term costs exceed their momentary advantages.
High self-control individuals consider potential negative consequences.
How does the concept of ‘commitment’ relate to social control theory?
Commitment refers to an individual’s investment in conventional activities and aspirations.
Strong commitment reduces the likelihood of engaging in criminal behaviour.
What is the main problem with measuring self-control based on the ‘elements of self-control’?
It doesn’t produce a measure where more is better.
Single traits like impulsivity predict criminal behaviour as effectively as comprehensive scales.
How does alcohol affect self-control, according to the revised theory?
Alcohol narrows focus to immediate circumstances and desires, leading to impulsive actions.
This disinhibition increases likelihood of disregarding long-term consequences.
Why do sociologists often prefer social control theory over self-control theory?
Self-control theory assumes stability beyond early childhood, neglecting structural influences.
Sociologists believe self-control can change over the life course.
What is the significance of early childhood behaviours in predicting later delinquency?
Behaviours like lack of interest in school can predict later delinquency.
This suggests differences in self-control may be present from a very young age.
Define Social Control Theory.
A theory that posits that individuals are less likely to commit crimes when they have strong bonds to society.
Define Self-Control Theory.
A theory that suggests individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal and analogous acts.
What does ‘Attachment’ refer to in social control theory?
The emotional bond between an individual and conventional people or institutions.
What does ‘Commitment’ refer to in social control theory?
An individual’s investment in conventional activities, aspirations, and ‘stake in conformity.’
What does ‘Involvement’ suggest in the context of social control theory?
Participation in conventional activities that limits the time and opportunity for criminal behaviour.
What does ‘Belief’ refer to in social control theory?
The acceptance of societal norms, values, and moral beliefs.
Define Social Disorganization Theory.
A theory that focuses on how crime rates are affected by community-level factors.
What do Strain Theories propose?
Crime and deviance occur when there is a gap between cultural goals and legitimate means.
What is the Age-Invariance Thesis?
The assertion that the age distribution of crime is the same across all social and demographic groups.
What is the Life Course Perspective?
An approach emphasizing the potential for change and the importance of transitions and turning points in an individual’s life.
Define Informal Social Control.
The regulation of behaviour by unofficial means, such as family, friends, and community.
What are Inhibitions in the context of criminal behaviour?
Factors individuals consider when deciding whether to commit a criminal act, such as concern for others’ opinions.
What are ‘Elements of Self-Control’?
Characteristics often associated with low self-control, such as impulsivity, risk-seeking, and short-sightedness.
What does Tautological mean in relation to self-control theory?
A statement that is true by definition, critiquing self-control theory where lack of self-control is both cause and result of criminal behaviour.
What is the Child-Rearing Model?
The explanation that self-control is learned from parents.
