This document compares and contrasts the Behavior Trait Theory and Social Control Theory of criminal behavior. The Behavior Trait Theory believes that criminal behavior and leadership are learned through observation and environment. Crime occurs when individuals observe violence in their family and environment. In contrast, the Social Control Theory believes that social bonds and one's attachment to social norms controls criminal behavior. According to this theory, crime results from a lack of attachment to family and community. Both theories note the importance of family bonds but differ in whether crime stems from learned behavior or lack of social control. The document analyzes the case of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in the context of both theories, noting evidence that supports both his abusive father relationship (Behavior Tra

1. Social Control Theory And Behavior Trait Theory ComparisonPatricia Pryor Kaplan University CJ 102

2. Behavior Trait Theory Leaders are created

3. Leadership is learned behaviorDescriptionBelief that traits are learned through observation and imitation. Belief that humans learn through example. Humans learn crime and aggressive behaviors by life experiences. Behavior theory assumes that leadership can be learned and not inherent. Crime is learned through Negative family interactions, environments full of violence, and mass media. Behavior is modified through rewards and negative actions then change positives behaviors. If a son sees his father hitting his mother the son will then become violent and abusive to his spouse later in life. The son will follow in these violent patterns.

4. Reason for Criminal Activity Behavior Trait TheoryWhen there is Negative family interaction

5. Violence in the environment Social Control Theory Created by Hirschi in 1969, the social control theory stresses on the fact that most delinquent behavior is the result of unmonitored controls.The community is what controls social norms

6. Crime is a unitary conceptDescriptionThe beliefs within the community is what set norms and belief structures, this will either encourage or discourage people from breaking the law. Social bonds are important and those are what is dependent on whether a person will or not conform. Attachment CommitmentInvolvementBelief

7. Reason for criminal activity Social Control Theory When there is a lack of positive family attachment

8. Involvement of conventional activities

9. Involvement in non-conventional activities

10. Attachment to peers Similarity between the two theoriesAlthough they both do address the situation differently both theories have Concern for family bondsConcern with what others think or doInvolve the community in some way

11. Differences between the two theories Behavior Trait Theory believes crime is learned from others while Social Control Theory believes social standing controls crime. Behavior Trait Theory blames negative family interactions, Social Control Theory blames negative attachments to family.

12. Example Case Gacy was born to Catholic parents in 1942, in Chicago, IL. He was the only son born to a family with three children. He was the middle child, Gacy attended parochial school and raised in a Catholic community. Gacy was liked by his teachers, was active in boy scouts. He also had several part time jobs. His childhood was essentially normal. Gacy father was abusive, and his relationship was strained with him. Gacy also had some medical problems due to a brain clot and heart problems. Gacy obtained a degree in Chicago for business. He was skilled at selling, he got a new job and was promoted. Gacy got married and started to manage the KFC owned by his father in law. Gacy was convicted of child molestation while working at the KFC. He served 18 months in prison and his wife divorced him. When he was released he remarried and had three children.

13. Example Case Gacy seemed happy in his family life, but he was hiding the fact that he was homosexual. He was also extremely aggressive during his homosexual encounters. Gacy murdered 33 boys during 1975-1978. He hid the boys in his crawlspace and would apply lime to try and disguise the odor. Gacy continued to pretend to be a friendly neighbor and had BBQs where the mayor attended. If any questions came up on the odor, it was explained away as a sewage problem