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

Cultural deviance combines the elements of what two theories?

Many of the buildings are boarded up and left to decay, the majority of the residences in the area are apartment buildings with a transient population, no one seems to care about their neighborhood, and according to statistics, the area is densely populated. What zone does this describe?

Name the three independent yet overlapping theories that reside within the social structure perspective.

Regarding school effects on delinquency, research indicates that school climate does not negatively impact youth as much as academic failure. ​

What, according to Reckless, insulates a youth from criminogenic influences in the environment?

What does recent research indicate may have been ignored by neutralization theory?

Your friend is interested in researching delinquency and gangs. Your professor suggested investigating the theory that combines the principles of strain and social disorganization theories into a portrayal of a gang-sustaining delinquent culture.  Following the professor's advice, which of the following should your friend investigate?

What theory promotes the thought that learning occurs within intimate personal groups?

Discuss how control theories have influenced criminal justice and other public policies according to the text. Be sure to include examples of programs developed as a result of control theory.  Overall, how valuable do you believe these influences are to youth and to society in general? Provide a rationale for your view.

According to strain theory, how is the ability to achieve personal goals such as owning a nice home and car or wearing stylish clothes stratified?

Identify and describe the three forms of collective efficacy; be sure to include examples for each. Which of the three forms do you believe to be the most influential?  Provide a rationale for your view.

Research has found that crimes appear to be intergenerational, suggesting that parental deviance influences delinquent behavior.

Social disorganization theory links delinquency to middle-class measuring rods.

Mechanisms such as direct criticism, ridicule, ostracism, desertion, or physical punishment are considered what form of social control?

What is the concept through which youth are able to use their wits to feel safe by avoiding violent confrontation?

Differential association theory maintains that delinquency is motivated by political or legal processes.

In their early teens, Jack, Cole, and Hardy live in areas where both conventional and delinquent activities are limited and adult role models are in absentia.  Applying differential opportunity theory, Jack, Cole, and Hardy are likely to join one of three types of gangs to in order to achieve what they consider success. Cole lives in a highly disorganized area.  Cole gets into fights to protect his gang's integrity and honor,  acquiring a reputation.  This rep provides Cole with a means for gaining admiration from his peers.  What type of gang did Cole join?

Criminal behavior is considered more a rebellion against conventional society than as an expression of conformity to lower-class subcultural values and traditions according to social disorganization theory.

What is a form of culture conflict experienced by lower-class youths because social conditions prevent them from achieving success as defined by the larger society? ​

Social process theory takes the view that where one lives is more important than how one lives.