Individual Theories

1. Individual Theories

2. Theories • Much of the discussion in this section of the course centers on “theories.” • Theories are simply “explanations” that are grounded in evidence and reasoning. • Scientific theories are explanations that are testable. • The theories about delinquency presented in this class have been tested using data--researchers have found evidence in the world that indicates that they may be right.

3. Theories • Chapter 5 talks about how we test theories. • We test them to see if they are useful--if they help us understand the world with accuracy. • A good theory would allow us to predict the future and to intervene in ways to reduce juvenile delinquency. • Scientists try to avoid thinking like absolutists such as politicians and preachers. • It was said of the late Ronald Reagan: “He never let facts interfere with his ideologies.” • Scientists insist that the facts should alter ideas, even ideologies.

4. Theories • We test theories through research. • Research includes systematic collection of information to adequately determine whether causal explanations hold. • Data usually come from • experiments • surveys • observations

5. Theories • As Agnew discussed in Chapter 5, causal explanations are good when relationships they predicted hold. For one phenomenon to predict another, there must be: 1) Association 2) Nonspuriousness 3) Temporal Order 4) Association not due to chance 5) Conditions specified • Most of the sociological theories about delinquency have a 30-80 year history of validation in the research community.

6. Individualist Theories • I discuss individualist theories first (unlike the book) because: • they are less systematic • not as successful at explaining delinquent involvement • Americans favor individualist explanations for delinquency. • Individualist Reasons typically involve: • morality • personal responsibility • calculating criminals • increasingly include medical model of individual sickness

7. Individualist Theories Traits: • Agnew (chapter 13) does a good job listing traits associated with delinquency, and discussing why they, through social processes, lead to delinquency. • But many trait theorists completely leave out and ignore the social dynamic, saying that traits represent biological distinctions or result from early childhood experiences. • Some apparent traits represent the psychologizing of social systems, and it is very difficult to argue that they are inherent traits. In fact, they are quite obviously products of interactions.

8. Individualist Theories Traits: • Traits Associated with Delinquency • Low Verbal IQ • Learning Disabilities • Hyperactivity Attention Deficit Disorder • Sensation Seeking • Reduced ability to learn from Punishment • Irritability • Insensitivity to others/Low empathy • Flawed Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills/Social Skills • Flawed Moral Reasoning and Moral Beliefs

9. Individualist Theories Traits: • Why not put in the list? • being born black • being born with a penis • being born young Certainly these are biological realities... • economic disadvantitis • high density disorder

10. Individualist Theories Equipotentiality • Trait theorists dismiss equipotentiality • the idea that all humans are born with equal potential to learn and achieve. • Sociologists typically see biological equipotentiality, but argue that humans are not born with social equality of circumstances.

11. Individualist Theories Trait theorists too often note differences in the physical or mental manifestations of outcasts (delinquents) and assume that it was these characteristics that made the kid delinquent. They often believe the dualistic fallacy -that conformists and deviants are mutually exclusive categories.

12. Individualist Theories Trait work sometimes hints of eugenics -efforts to improve humanity by controlling hereditary factors (One of the rationalizations for Death Camps in Nazi Germany). -feeble-mindedness, epilepsy, insanity-have been thought to lead to criminality Many people think this way even though we know most people break laws in some way (recall that we were all juvenile delinquents).

13. Individualist Theories Fun Historical Information: Lombroso’s Criminal Atavism Determined by measuring features of criminals in Italy. They were more “pre-historic” looking (We might have some in class) What would the physical profile of a criminal be today?

14. Individualist Theories Fun Historical Information: Sheldon's Somatotype School is fun • Mesomorphs (fat people) • Endomorphs (muscular people) • Ectomorphs (skinny people) • Which is more likely to commit computer crimes?

15. Individualist Theories Dog Breeds • Trait theories are like popular conceptions of dog breeds (perhaps these ideas are misapplied to humans) • Many attribute personality and skills to breeds of dogs, typecasting on appearances. • We now have much breed-specific legislation. Many pounds (including Mobile County) put pit bulls down. • Pit bulls are said to be very aggressive, tenacious and dangerous. Yet, this occurs only with maltreatment.

16. Individualist Theories • Pit bulls are not the “baddest” dog on record. Rottweilers are worse according to statistics. • In a 20-year period, 238 people in the US were killed by 25 different breeds. Pit Bull types and Rottweilers were involved in half. Most were by unrestrained dogs. • This all shows that social response to traits may be more important than the behaviors the traits are said to produce. • What social explanations are there for the “bad breed” behavior of dogs?

17. Individualist Theories Modern Trait Theories • Often escape the simplicity of others, but suffer similar problems: ignoring social conditions and methodological flaws in research. • For example, Biochemical Factors in Delinquency • Sugar is actually not linked to problem behavior chemically. What about socially? • Diet is socially determined. Southerners eat differently from northerners, Rich from poor. • Main Point: Few human phenomena are independent of social experience.

18. Individualist Theories Another Issue: Sampling on the Dependent Variable Many studies point to neurological or mental problems of delinquents, but these often: • Lack of Controls common in criminological research • Make misleading comparisons E.G. Often compare % “problems” in prison to % “problems” in general population when efforts to identify “problems” are more intense in institutions (“Diagnosis” occurs once in the system and persons are evaluated. Law abiders are undiagnosed.) • They need to focus on whether large numbers of “problems” in the general population actually commit crime. • What social conditions might lead to increased incarceration of “problem” people? • Job? • Stable home? • Marriage? • Skill at handling authority (self presentation)?

19. Individualist Theories • But we cannot ignore traits... • We must have biological capacities before we can do anything social. For example, we must have: • capacity for language to speak • arms to hold a child • legs to walk • we cannot fly • Misfiring neurons can make you socially awkward However, it is not biology that determines what we value, or the choices we make. • Kicker vs. Ass-Kicker