Criminologist Sutherland posited that “delinquency is learned behavior and that it is learned in intimate social groups through face-to-face interaction” (251). Mears, et al (1998) suggested that Sutherland was a proponent of differential association, which is a Social Deviance Theory. There are many who share this viewpoint with Sutherland (Mears, et al, 1998).
According to Skinner and Fream (1997), there is a social theory analysis that can be associated with computer crime among college students. The two are able to show “that measures of differential association, differential reinforcement and punishment, definitions, and sources of imitation are significantly related to computer crime” (495). This compares to the data that Hollinger gathered, and explains why “social learning theory is an appropriate and useful theoretical perspective for understanding why college students commit illegal computer acts” (Skinner & Fream, 1997, 495).
C. Wright Mills was a theorist. According to Chasin (1990), “C. Wright Mills was a radical, critical of United States society and of sociology as practiced in this country” (337). In the middle of the century, Mills’ criticism was found provocative, although influential. A great many people read his views. Although Mills was a pessimistic, he was able to urge those with knowledge to look to fundamental social change. Mills was ale to inspire a great many in the field of sociology (Chasin, 1990).
According to Akers (1996), “Sutherland’s differential association theory has long been criticized as a ‘cultural deviance’ theory, and the critics have continued to apply this same designation to the theory’s social-learning reformulation by Akers” (229-247). Differential association and social learning theory is the same thing. They fall under the heading of Social Deviance Theory. Socialization is not always completely successful as Sutherland would suggest. There are individual differences in deviance; not all members of the same group act in the same manner. Because of this, Akers posits that crime has no single causative factor(Akers 229-247).
According to Warr (1993), criminologists have long recognized the importance of family and peers in the etiology of delinquency, but these two influences are commonly analyzed in isolation. However, if peers are treated as potential instigators of delinquency (following differential association theory) and parents as potential barriers to delinquency (following control theory), a crucial question emerges: Is parental influence capable of counteracting the influence of delinquent peers? When a child spends time with his/her family the influence of his/her peers is reduced. Data from the National Youth Survey confirms this, in fact (Warr, 1993). Peer influence can drastically change a child.
Juvenile delinquency is seen as a serious problem in the American society. Students in sociology and criminology need to be grounded in the reasons behind this widespread occurrence. From the viewpoint of a liberal democratic person, there are several possible theories into the cause of juvenile delinquency. One of those theories is conflict theory. Conflict Theory is, basically, the theory that because of conflicts (strife, struggles, disagreements), the juvenile becomes a delinquent individual. Labeling theory is the theory that by calling someone something, i. e. giving him or her a label such as juvenile delinquent, the person is stereotyped into conforming to that label. Differential association is the theory that focuses on the processes by which juveniles come to commit acts that are delinquent. This theory posits that criminal behavior is learned by interaction with others with whom he/she associates.
A person can go to a juvenile facility and see evidence of both Social Deviance Theory and Developmental Theory. The juvenile delinquent, in many ways, has become a product of society. Society has allowed the conflict, the labeling, the differential association, etc. The liberals understand this concept. In order to stop juvenile delinquency, several things must be done. The child must be given a good label. He/she will continue to exhibit bad behavior as long as he/she is wearing the label of a delinquent. Children must be kept from associating with known delinquents. They must also be given a chance. There will always be conflicts in life, but some of those conflicts can be changed. Children are not small adults. They have certain developmental stages they go through. It is important to recognize the effect of trauma on a developing child.
Because of the nature of crime, there must be more than one explanation for criminal behavior. The two most significant theories are Social Deviance Theory and Developmental Theory. The young criminals commit crimes because of their social deviance or because of their developmental process. Many studies have been done on both types of theories. There is empirical evidence to support that they do indeed explain the causes of juvenile delinquency. The liberals are correct in their opinion of what constitutes the causes of juvenile delinquency. Social Deviance in the form of conflict theory, labeling theory, etc., and Developmental Theory in the form of social strain are the causes of juvenile delinquency.
SAMPLE OUTLINE
I. The introduction contains the thesis statement, which is that from a liberal democratic viewpoint, there are many theories into the causes of juvenile delinquency.
A. Conflict theory, a type of Social Deviance Theory, is one of the theories of juvenile delinquency.
B. Differential Association/Learning theory, a type of Social Deviance Theory, is one of the theories of juvenile delinquency.
C. Labeling theory, a type of Social Deviance Theory, is one of the theories of juvenile delinquency.
II. Conflict theory, a type of Social Deviance Theory, includes racial inequality and poverty.
A. Racial minorities are treated harsher in the criminal justice system.
B. Juvenile delinquency is associated with conflict theory, particular in minorities.
III. Social conflict is capable of being resolved.
A. bSociologists need to minimize the damage caused by the conflict.
IV. Social identity theory and realistic conflict theory explain overt prejudice.
V. Distraction-conflict theory was formulated by Baron.
VI. Social control theory is also prevalent in the Netherlands.
VII. There is a struggle between consensus theory and conflict theory.
VIII. There is a difference between conflict theory and social control theory.
A. abConflict theory suggests that females offenders are treated more leniently than males.
B. abSocial control theory suggests that female offenders are treated more harshly than males.
IX. bConflict will always exist in one form or another.
X. bSocial deviance theory and developmental theories are also theories of juvenile delinquency.
A. bActing against the norms of society is social deviance.
B. bDevelopmental theories include such things as insults or trauma, the individual’s behavioral response, problems in school, problems in society, and others.
XI. bDifferential Association is an important gauge into delinquent behavior.
XII. Strain theory is related to both social control and differential association, yet it is more closely related to Developmental Theory.
XIII. Labeling theory is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
A. abOnce a child is given a label, or accepts a label, he/she becomes whatever that label is.
a. ab Parents, teachers, and/or peers label a young person as bad.
b. abParents, teachers, and/or peers label a young person as delinquent.
XIV. Parents are capable of reducing peer influence.
XV. Homelessness and delinquency are equated by early sociologists and psychologists.
XVI. Because of the nature of crime, there has to be more than one explanation for juvenile delinquency.
XVII. Quotes from several theorists are given.
A. abCesare Lombroso was an Italian criminologist.
B. abSutherland was a proponent of differential association, a type of Social Deviance Theory.
C. abC. Wright Mills was a proponent of conflict theory, a type of Social Deviance Theory.
XVIII. In conclusion, students in sociology and criminology need to be grounded in the reasons behind the widespread occurrence of juvenile delinquency.
A. Many criminologists are proponents of Social Deviance Theory as to the cause of juvenile delinquency.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Agnew, Robert; Brezina, Timothy (1997, September), Relational problems with peers, gender and delinquency, Youth & Society, v29 n1 pp. 84(28).
The authors concluded that the theory of interpersonal strain is one that has been greatly neglected in delinquency research that is quantitative. They posit that there have been arguments that were theoretical which suggest that strain is related to female delinquency. The authors have found that most of the empirical research that has been done on delinquency has focused on the male. The perceive this as being the reason for neglecting the variable of the interpersonal strain connection to female delinquency. They postulate that the data suggests interpersonal strain has a role in explaining a person’s delinquency.
Agnew, Robert (1990 August), The origins of delinquent events: an examination of offender accounts, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, v27 n3 pp. 267(28).
The theme of this article is the interpretation of the strain theory, which is also known as the anomie theory. Although there are macrosocial versions of this theory, this article focuses on the individual-level as related to the consequences of both environment and structure in regard to deviant behavior.
Akers, Ronald L. “Is differential association/social learning cultural deviance theory?” Criminology, (1996): May, 34 n2 pp. 229-247.
The theme of this article is differential association/social learning as a cultural deviance. Differential association is important to the study of the theories of juvenile delinquency. Without association to criminals, many people would not have become juvenile delinquents.
Bartusch, Dawn Jeglum; Matsueda, Ross L. (1996, September), Gender, reflected appraisals, and labeling: a cross-group test of an interactionist theory of delinquency,” Social Forces, pp. PG.
*PG Refers To Electronic Page Obtained From:http:www.elibrary.com
This article is important because it discusses the labeling theory. Some suggest that gender has a basis on whether a person will become a juvenile delinquent. It is important to note that etiological statements of labeling theory tend to focus on the negative consequences of labeling individuals as delinquent. Beginning with parents, teachers, and peers and then moving on to members of the criminal justice system, the response to initial acts of primary deviance is to label the youth as ‘bad’ or ‘delinquent.’
Chasin, Barbara H. (1990, Fall), C. Wright Mills, pessimistic radical, Sociological Inquiry, v60 n4 pp. 337(15).
This article was necessary to present theorist C. Wright Mills concepts and ideas about conflict theory, because he is a proponent of conflict theory. Mills urged intellectuals to use their skills to bring about a society where reason and democracy would prevail. Though marginalized within the profession during his life, he helped inspire the development of a critical perspective within sociology.
Collins, Randall (1993, Winter), What does conflict theory predict about America’s future? 1993 presidential address, (principles of conflict theory), Sociological Perspectives, v36 n4 pp. 289(25).
This article is important because Collins is a proponent of the idea that social conflicts can be resolved by sociologists if they apply the principles of conflict theory while minimizing the damage that the conflict causes. He posits that there are divisions within society. Ideology and self-interest are the basis for those divisions.
Frazier, Charles E.; Bishop, Donna M.; Henretta, John C. (1992, Fall), The social context of race differentials in juvenile justice dispositions, (effect of black power on court treatment), The Sociological Quarterly, v33 n3 pp. 447(12).
This article is important because it suggests that those supporting traditional conflict theory find that minorities get harsher treatment by the criminal justice system. This is purportedly because they lack both the resources and the power to make sure that their treatment is equal to others. Hawkins pointed to a revision of this paradigm. In this instance, the minority will “receive harsher dispositions in social contexts in which their power threatens the dominant group’s hegemony.”
Hagan, John (1993, November), Beyond the classics: reform and renewal in the study of crime and inequality, (response to articles in this issue), (Special Issue: Symposium on the Future of Research in Crime and Delinquency), Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, v30 n4 pp. 485(7).
This article is important because Hagan posits that the struggle between consensus theory and conflict theory should be revived, and that differential association theory and strain theory should be further explored. There is a prediction that the criminological theories will veer toward mutual support and reciprocal stimulation as research designs and methods veer toward both diversity and flexibility
Hoffman, Hanock; Wolf, Yuval; Addad, Moshe (1997, June), Moral judgement by criminals and conformists as a tool for examination of sociological predictions, International Journal of Offender Therapy & Comparative Criminology, v41 n2 pp. 180(19).
This article is important because it discusses R. K. Merton and his psychological theories about crime and criminal behavior. Merton recognized that a conceptional framework was needed to better explain social deviance and criminality. Anomie is one kind of social deviance. Anomie represents social instability. The person’s standards and values are broken or non-existent.
Junger, Marianne; Marshall, Ineke Haen (1997, February), The interethnic generalizability of social control theory: an empirical test, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, v34 n1 pp. 79(34).
This article is important because it suggests that the theme of conflict theory is that race, ethnicity, and crime are controversial issues among academic criminologists. A sampling was done of several boys and social control theory was used to model their self-reported delinquency. It was found that conflict was one of the variables that related to their delinquency most consistently.
Leiber, Michael J.; Stairs, Jayne M. (1999, February), RACE, CONTEXTS, AND THE USE OF INTAKE DIVERSION, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, v36 i1 pp. 56(1).
This article is important because Leiber and Stairs suggest a need for broadening the scope of this type of research. Many research methodologies should be utilized. Conflict theory should be refined. Conflict theory has a great deal to do with punishment, racial stereotyping, and structural contingencies.
McCarthy, Bill (1996, Winter), The attitudes and action of others : tutelage and Sutherland’s theory of differential association, British Journal of Criminology, 36 n1 pp. 135-147.
This article is important because it discusses Sutherland, the man who formed the theory of differential association.
Mears, Daniel P.; Ploeger, Matthew; Warr, Mark (1998, August), Explaining the gender gap in delinquency: peer influence and moral evaluations of behavior, Journal of Research in
Crime and Delinquency, v35 n3 pp. 251.
The authors found several possible conclusions. They found that females and males differ in respect to peers that are delinquent. They also found that males are much more likely to have friends that are delinquent than females are. They posit that females are less strongly affected by delinquent peers than are males. Moral evaluations of females are effectual in countering the influence of peers. One of the strongest predictors of subsequent delinquent behavior is the number of delinquent peers with whom an adolescent associates. In the case of the female, however, their moral judgements are capable of reducing or even eliminating their delinquent peer’s impact on their behavior.
Ortiz, Ann E.; Johnson, David W.; Johnson, Roger T., (1996, April 1), The effect of positive goal and resource interdependence on individual performance, The Journal of Social Psychology, pp. PG. *PG Refers To Electronic Page Obtained From: http://www.elibrary.com
This article is important because it posits that Baron formulated the distraction-conflict theory. The distraction-conflict theory is the conflict that results when a person tries to attend both to other individuals and to an ongoing task leads to drive/arousal and stress, engendering social impairment on difficult tasks and social enhancement on simple tasks.