Social Process Theories

1. Social Process Theories • Social Learning Theory • Social Control Theory • Labeling Theory

2. Social Process • These are MICRO theories • Need both micro and macro for a “complete” explanation of crime • Process = individual interacting with social units or agencies over time

3. Social Learning Theory • Edwin Sutherland • Differential Association • Albert Bandura • Akers • (With Burgess) Differential Reinforcement • Social Learning Theory • Gerald Patterson • Social Interactional Theory

4. Edwin Sutherland • Degree in Sociology from the University of Chicago (1913) • Faculty member (1930-1935) • Chicago School question: how are delinquent cultures “transmitted” across generations? • Answer? “Differential Association” • Published and revised in his textbook from 1934-1947

5. Differential Association • Criminal Behavior is learned • Negatively, this means it is not “invented” • Communication within intimate groups • Learning involves techniques and attitudes • Attitudes expresses as “definitions of the situation” • A person becomes delinquent because of an “excess of definitions favorable to law violation” • The process involves the same learning process as all other behavior

6. Differential Association • This is a GENERAL theory • Explains “white collar crimes” as well as “street crimes” • Very abstract and vague • What are “definitions?” • What are the mechanics of learning?

7. Albert Bandura • Social Learning Theory (1973) • Pulled together principles of learning • Classical conditioning • Operant conditioning • Vicarious learning

8. Ronald Akers • Brought differential association in line with psychological principles of learning • Differential Reinforcement theory • Now, “Social Learning Theory” • Central Concepts • Differential Association • Attitudes Toward Crime • Reinforcement • Imitation (role modeling)

9. Testing Social Learning • Surveys: Theory tested with 2 variables • Exposure to Deviant Peers • Attitudes Favorable Towards Crime • Variables consistently predict deviance, but causal order is questionable

10. Testing Social Learning II • Experimental Studies • Don Andrews (1980) group therapy experiments • Token Economies • “Cognitive/Behavioral Programs” • Skills Training • Reduce “Criminal Thinking Errors”

11. Criticisms of Social Learning and Differential Association • Where do initial “definitions” or “techniques” come from? • Assumption about human nature • Causal ordering is backwards

12. Policy Implications • If crime is learned, it can be “unlearned” • Token Economy • Role modeling • Eliminate “rationalizations,” or “criminal thinking errors” • Learn pro-social (competing) behaviors • Training parent’s (Patterson) • Behavior contracts

13. Gerald Patterson • Social Interactional Theory • Focus on the Early Childhood • Effective Parents: • Monitor/Supervise their child’s behavior • Recognize deviant acts • Consistently Use Rewards and Punishment, and Role Model Positive Behaviors • Ineffective Parents: • Natter, harsh and inconsistent punishment...

14. Patterson’s Social Interactional Theory • Parental • Efficacy • Supervise • Recognize • Punish/reward • consistently • Parenting • Context • SES • Grandparent’s skill • in parenting • Single parents • Difficult child Child’s Antisocial Behavior