Exam 4: Social Structure, Process, Culture, and Delinquency

If you were to look for a theory of delinquency that links a youth's engagement in delinquent acts to the struggle of being locked out of the economic mainstream, thereby creating anger and frustration and ultimately leading to delinquency, which of the following theories would best fit this description?

Who developed "code of the streets"?  Describe the two cultural forces addressed in this theory.  It is stated that living in an impoverished, crime rich community places youth at risk for engaging in delinquent behavior; it is also stated that the two orientations socially organize the community.  Do you agree or disagree with these statements?  Provide a rationale for you view.

Describe each of the four elements of Hirschi's social bond theory.  What does Hirschi suggest about the interrelationship of the social bond elements?  Explain why you agree or disagree with the premise of this interrelationship. Critique the theory, assessing its strengths and weaknesses.

Focusing on conditions within the urban environment that affect delinquency rates is known as what theory?

Street efficacy refers to the ability of communities to regulate the behavior of their residents through the influence of community institutions, such as the family and school.

What theory links the onset of delinquency to the weakening of the ties that bind people to society?

It is reported that because of differential opportunity, youth are likely to join one of three types of gangs. Identify and describe the three types of gangs. Do you agree or disagree with the premise that differential opportunity causes youth to join gangs?  Explain your position.

Most likely responsible for the exceedingly high rate of delinquency, what distinctive feature in American society has been allowed to develop to an extraordinary degree, according to Messner and Rosenfeld?

What refers to the process by which an established culture teaches an individual its norms and values, thus enabling the individual to become an accepted member of society?

According to Cohen, what are the standards by which teachers evaluate students' behavior?

According to Walter Miller, clinging to what promotes illegal or violent behavior?

Describe neutralization theory and the techniques of neutralization patterns (i.e., who developed the theory, basic premise of the theory, key terms associated with this theory).  What is your view of this theory and the techniques associated with it?  Explain your position.

What theory maintains that all people have the potential to violate the law, as modern society presents many opportunities for illegal activities that promise immediate reward and gratification?

The theory of the working poor is the view that lower-class people form a separate culture with their own values and norms somewhat similar to conventional society.

According to Shaw and McKay, what does a healthy, organized community have the ability to do to achieve common goals?

To offset moral constraints, youth develop a distinct set of rationalizations for engaging in delinquent acts.

Social disorganization theory holds that delinquency is tied to the personal characteristics or culture of the residents as opposed to the neighborhood characteristics.

Communities That Care would be an example of social ecology theory in action.

What is the process by which people learn to adopt the behavior patterns of the community and develop the skills necessary to participate and function within their culture and environment?

According to Cohen, the development of the delinquent subculture is a consequence of socialization practices found in the ghetto or inner-city environment.