This document summarizes several social process theories of criminology. It discusses social learning theory, which posits that criminal behavior is learned through relationships with criminal peers. Social control theory argues that social bonds keep criminal behavior in check. Labeling theory suggests that people become criminals when labeled as such by others. The document also examines differential association theory and neutralization theory under the umbrella of social learning theory. It analyzes social control theory and the role of attachment, commitment, and beliefs. Finally, it discusses labeling theory and the consequences as well as critiques of these major social process theories of crime.

1. Chapter 7 -
Social Process Theories
Michelle Palaro
Criminology 81-220-1
Fall 2014

2. Different Social Theories
• Social learning theory
– People learn the techniques and attitudes of crime
from close relationships with criminal peers.
• Social control theory
– Everyone has the potential to become a criminal, but
most people are controlled by their bonds to society.
Crime occurs when the forces that bind people to
society are weakened or broken.
• Social reaction (labeling) theory
– People become criminals when significant members
of society label them as such and they accept those
labels as a personal identity.

3. Institutions of Socialization
• Socialization
• Process of human development and
enculturation
• Family Relations
– Parental efficacy
• Violence and Abuse
– Effects of parental discipline
– Physical and emotional abuse

4. Class Discussion/Activity
Discuss what constitutes good and bad
parenting.
•Find some examples from your childhood
that you think were examples of good and
bad parenting.
•What would you change if you had
children?

5. Institutions of Socialization
• Educational Experience
– Race and Educational Problems
– Dropping out
– Getting Bullied
• Peer Relations
• Religion and Belief
– Participation and attendance

6. Institutions of Socialization

7. Social Learning Theories
• Differential Association Theory
• Principles of Differential Association Theory:
– Criminal behavior is learned
– Criminal behavior is learned as a by-product
of interacting with others.
– Learning behavior occurs within intimate
personal groups
– Learning criminal behavior involves
assimilating the techniques of committing
crime, including motives, drives,
rationalizations, and attitudes

8. Social Learning Theories
• Principles of Differential Association
Theory (cont’d)
– The specific direction of motives and drives is
learned from perceptions of various aspects
of the legal code as favorable or unfavorable
– A person becomes a criminal when he or she
perceives more favorable than unfavorable
consequences to violating the law
– Differential associations may vary in
frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

9. Social Learning Theories
• Principles of Differential Association Theory
(cont’d)
– The process of learning criminal behavior by
association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns
involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in
any other learning process
– Although criminal behavior expresses general needs
and values, it is not excused by those general needs
and values, because noncriminal behavior expresses
the same needs and values
• Testing Differential Association Theory
• Analysis of Differential Association Theory

10. Social Learning Theories
• Neutralization Theory
– Gresham Sykes and David Matza
– Drift
– Observations of neutralization model:
• Criminals sometimes voice guilt over their illegal
acts
• Offenders frequently respect and admire honest,
law-abiding persons
• Criminals define whom they can victimize
• Criminals are not immune to the demands of
conformity

11. Social Learning Theories
• Neutralization techniques
– Denial of responsibility
– Denial of injury
– Denial of the victim
– Condemnation of the condemners
– Appeal to higher loyalties
• Testing Neutralization Theory
• Evaluating Learning Theories

12. Social Learning Theories

13. Social Control Theory
• Self-Control
• Commitment to Conformity
• Social Bonds

14. Hirschi’s Social Control Theory
• Attachment
– Sensitivity to and interest in others
• Commitment
– Time, energy, and effort spent in conventional
activities
• Belief
– Morals, values, belief in the law
• Involvement
– Participation in convention activities

15. Hirschi’s Social Control Theory
• Testing Social Control Theory:
Supportive Research
– Attachment
– Belief
– Commitment
– Involvement

16. Hirschi’s Social Control Theory
• Critiquing Social Control Theory
– The influence of friendship
– Failure to achieve
– Deviant involvement
– Deviant parents and peers
–Mistaken causal order

17. Hirschi’s Social Control Theory

18. Social Reaction (Labeling)
Theory
• Key Points
– Behaviors that are considered criminal are
highly subjective
– Crime is defined by those in power
– Not only acts are labeled, but also people
– Both positive and negative labels involve
subjective interpretation of behavior

19. Social Reaction (Labeling)
Theory
• Consequences of Labeling
– Self-labeling
– Joining deviant cliques
– Retrospective reading
• Primary and Secondary Deviance
• Crime and Labeling

20. Social Reaction (Labeling)
Theory
• Differential Enforcement
• Research on Social Reaction Theory
– Targets of labeling
– Effects of labeling
• Is Labeling Theory Valid?

21. Social Process Theory and
Public Policy
• Social Learning Theory
– Highfields Project in New Jersey
– Silverlake Program in Los Angeles
• Social Control Theory
– Education
– Family bonds

22. Social Process Theories