Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice

CJ 3650 CJ 3650

Professor James DrylieProfessor James Drylie

ChapterChapter 55

Social Theories of DelinquencySocial Theories of Delinquency

�� There are four major types of theories There are four major types of theories

�� Social structureSocial structure

�� Social processSocial process

�� Life courseLife course

�� Social reaction Social reaction

Social Structure TheorySocial Structure Theory

�� Focus on the economic and social Focus on the economic and social conditions in which lowerconditions in which lower--class youth live.class youth live.

�� Examines why lowerExamines why lower--class youth are more class youth are more likely to commit crime than middlelikely to commit crime than middle-- and and upperupper--class youth.class youth.

�� There are three social structure theories:There are three social structure theories:�� EcologicalEcological

�� Strain Strain

�� Subculture Subculture

Ecological TheoryEcological Theory

�� Seeks to explain delinquency based on Seeks to explain delinquency based on

where where it occurs.it occurs.

�� Shaw and McKayShaw and McKay’’s social disorganization s social disorganization

theory is the most prominent theory.theory is the most prominent theory.

�� They argued that the ecological conditions in They argued that the ecological conditions in

city/urban life influenced delinquency.city/urban life influenced delinquency.

�� Developed the Developed the Concentric Zone TheoryConcentric Zone Theory

Zone 5

Zone 4

Zone 3

Zone 2

Zone 1

Zone 2 is the zone in transition and this zone consistently has

the highest rates of delinquency.

Zone 1 – Factories,

central business

district.

Zone 2 – Oldest area

of city, invaded by

business as Z1

expands.

Zone 3 – Working

people’s homes.

Zone 4 – Residential

areas.

Zone 5 – Commuter

zone, suburbs.

Cultural Heterogeneity Cultural Heterogeneity �� Shaw and McKay identified three characteristics Shaw and McKay identified three characteristics

of the zone in transition that may contribute to of the zone in transition that may contribute to

increases in delinquencyincreases in delinquency

�� Cultural HeterogeneityCultural Heterogeneity

�� A lack of interaction between cultural groups. Can foster a A lack of interaction between cultural groups. Can foster a

lack of collective efficacy.lack of collective efficacy.

�� MobilityMobility

�� When people progress economically there is the tendency to When people progress economically there is the tendency to

advance socially. Leads to high turnover in interstitial areas advance socially. Leads to high turnover in interstitial areas

(where industry, commerce and residents coexist)(where industry, commerce and residents coexist)

�� Poverty Poverty

�� The interstitial area maintains higher levels of people living The interstitial area maintains higher levels of people living

at or near poverty levels. Delinquency is often higher in at or near poverty levels. Delinquency is often higher in

these areas. these areas.

Strain Theory Strain Theory �� Sees delinquency as a result of a lack of Sees delinquency as a result of a lack of

opportunity.opportunity.

�� Those who do not have equal opportunity are Those who do not have equal opportunity are

““strainedstrained”” and consequently are more likely to and consequently are more likely to

commit delinquent acts.commit delinquent acts.

�� MortonMorton’’s Strain Theory s Strain Theory –– blocked opportunity theoryblocked opportunity theory

�� Merton identifies the cultural goal of American society as Merton identifies the cultural goal of American society as

economic success. People who are blocked develop economic success. People who are blocked develop

adaptations:adaptations:

�� ConformityConformity

�� RitualismRitualism

�� InnovationInnovation

�� RetreatismRetreatism

�� Rebellion Rebellion

MertonMerton’’s Modes of Adaptation s Modes of Adaptation �� Conformity Conformity –– accepts the cultural goal and accepts the cultural goal and means to achieve successmeans to achieve success

�� Ritualism Ritualism –– rejects goal but accepts meansrejects goal but accepts means

�� Innovation Innovation –– accepts goal but not the accepts goal but not the meansmeans

�� RetreatismRetreatism –– rejects both goals and meansrejects both goals and means

�� Rebellion Rebellion –– rejects goals and means and rejects goals and means and substitutes new goals and means substitutes new goals and means

AgnewAgnew’’s General Strain Theorys General Strain Theory�� Focuses more on delinquencyFocuses more on delinquency

�� Success for juveniles may be different than that of Success for juveniles may be different than that of

adultsadults

�� Crime and delinquency may be a response to Crime and delinquency may be a response to

negative affective states that are adverse negative affective states that are adverse

emotions:emotions:

�� AngerAnger

�� FrustrationFrustration

�� DisappointmentDisappointment

�� Depression Depression

�� FearFear

Subculture Theory Subculture Theory

�� A subculture is A subculture is asetaset of values, norms, and of values, norms, and

beliefs that differ from those within the beliefs that differ from those within the

dominant culture.dominant culture.

�� Three subculture theories are:Three subculture theories are:

�� Delinquency & frustrationDelinquency & frustration

�� Differential opportunity Differential opportunity

�� LowerLower--class focal concern class focal concern

Delinquency and frustrationDelinquency and frustration�� Albert Cohen believed that people from Albert Cohen believed that people from

the lower class had different values, the lower class had different values,

norms, and beliefs than those in other norms, and beliefs than those in other

classes. classes.

�� He argued that the goal of lower class He argued that the goal of lower class

members is middlemembers is middle--class membership.class membership.

�� The primary means to achieve this goal is The primary means to achieve this goal is

through education. However, these children through education. However, these children

are often evaluated using middleare often evaluated using middle--class class

standards. standards.

�� Ambition, responsibility, deferred gratification, Ambition, responsibility, deferred gratification,

courtesy, control aggression, respect for property.courtesy, control aggression, respect for property.

Differential Opportunity Differential Opportunity

�� ClowardCloward and and OhlinOhlin’’ss focus was on serious focus was on serious delinquency committed by urban, male delinquency committed by urban, male gang members.gang members.

�� Saw two goals pursued by lowerSaw two goals pursued by lower--class class youth:youth:�� Economic successEconomic success

�� MiddleMiddle--class membership class membership �� The inability to rely on legitimate means to achieve The inability to rely on legitimate means to achieve these goals often results in the forming of these goals often results in the forming of delinquent subcultures. delinquent subcultures.

Types of gangsTypes of gangs

�� The values, norms, and beliefs of the The values, norms, and beliefs of the subculture and the neighborhood in which subculture and the neighborhood in which the group lives and the access to the group lives and the access to legitimate means often determines the legitimate means often determines the type of gangstype of gangs

�� Three types:Three types:�� CriminalCriminal

�� ConflictConflict

�� RetreatistRetreatist

LowerLower--class focal concerns class focal concerns �� Walter Miller studied lowerWalter Miller studied lower--class areas in Boston class areas in Boston

in the midin the mid--1950s1950s

�� Society is composed of various social groups, Society is composed of various social groups,

each with distinctive subcultures.each with distinctive subcultures.

�� Identified six focal concerns of lowerIdentified six focal concerns of lower--class class

subculture:subculture:

�� TroubleTrouble

�� ToughnessToughness

�� SmartnessSmartness

�� ExcitementExcitement

�� FateFate

�� Autonomy Autonomy

Social process theory Social process theory

�� Focuses on the relationship between Focuses on the relationship between

socialization and delinquencysocialization and delinquency

�� Two primary branches:Two primary branches:

�� Learning theoryLearning theory

�� Social control theory Social control theory

Learning TheoryLearning Theory

�� Juveniles commit delinquent acts because Juveniles commit delinquent acts because

they learnthey learn

�� AttitudesAttitudes

�� Skills Skills

�� Rationalizations Rationalizations

�� This learning takes place in interaction withThis learning takes place in interaction with

�� ParentsParents

�� Peers Peers

Differential Association Differential Association �� Edward Sutherland asserted that Edward Sutherland asserted that

delinquency is a function of learning, not a delinquency is a function of learning, not a

function of economic success or location. function of economic success or location.

Nine propositions:Nine propositions:

�� Behavior is learnedBehavior is learned

�� Behavior is learned through interaction with Behavior is learned through interaction with

othersothers

�� Learned criminal behavior occurs in Learned criminal behavior occurs in initimateinitimate

groupsgroups

�� Learning includes techniques, motives, drivesLearning includes techniques, motives, drives

�� Learning is reinforced through favorable or Learning is reinforced through favorable or

unfavorable definitionsunfavorable definitions

�� An excess of unfavorable definitions An excess of unfavorable definitions

increases the chance of differential increases the chance of differential

associationassociation

�� Differential association varies in Differential association varies in

frequency, duration, priority, and intensityfrequency, duration, priority, and intensity

�� Process of learning is same Process of learning is same –– good or badgood or bad

�� Delinquency is an expression of general Delinquency is an expression of general

needs and values needs and values

Social Control TheorySocial Control Theory

�� Assumes that people will violate the law.Assumes that people will violate the law.

�� Yet, not all people do.Yet, not all people do.

�� Why?Why?

�� The answer lies in the strength of a personThe answer lies in the strength of a person’’s s

ties to the foundation of ties to the foundation of

�� FamilyFamily

�� FriendsFriends

�� School School

�� Containment TheoryContainment Theory

�� Internal and external Internal and external

forces operate when forces operate when

juveniles make juveniles make

decisions to avoid or decisions to avoid or

commit delinquencycommit delinquency

�� HirschiHirschi’’ss Social Social

Control/Social Control/Social

BondingBonding

�� People usually do not People usually do not

commit delinquent commit delinquent

acts because this acts because this

behavior can damage behavior can damage

relationships relationships

�� GottfredsonGottfredson & &

HirschiHirschi’’ss SelfSelf--Control Control

TheoryTheory

�� The tendency to The tendency to

commit crime and commit crime and

delinquency is found in delinquency is found in

the level of selfthe level of self--

control.control.

Life Course Theory Life Course Theory �� Focuses on the onset and termination of Focuses on the onset and termination of

delinquency at different stages in life:delinquency at different stages in life:

�� ChildhoodChildhood

�� Adolescence Adolescence

�� Adulthood Adulthood

�� Draws on several theoriesDraws on several theories

�� BiologicalBiological

�� PsychologicalPsychological

�� Social Social

Social Reaction TheorySocial Reaction Theory�� Examine the role that social institutions Examine the role that social institutions play in perpetuating delinquent behavior.play in perpetuating delinquent behavior.�� Labeling theoryLabeling theory

�� Emphasizes explanations of why certain laws are Emphasizes explanations of why certain laws are passed and enforced and why police and juvenile passed and enforced and why police and juvenile courts process some offenders but others do not.courts process some offenders but others do not.

�� Looks at the unanticipated and negative consequences of Looks at the unanticipated and negative consequences of the label that is attached to certain offenders. the label that is attached to certain offenders.

�� Conflict theory Conflict theory �� Believe that delinquent behavior is due to conflict Believe that delinquent behavior is due to conflict in society that arises form an unfair distribution of in society that arises form an unfair distribution of wealth and power. wealth and power.