It is Monday (10/13) morning and I still have not heard from two of the families regarding midterm exam questions. Members of the BLACK and BLUE families will not receive the 3 points for this activity. Below are the questions I accepted from the families that submitted them.
RED FAMILY: (earns 3 points)
What are the THREE elements of Routine Activities Theory? (3pts)
Answer: (1) there are persons motivated to commit crimes
(2) there is a suitable target or victim
(3) there is an absence of formal or informal control agents
YELLOW FAMILY: (earns 3 points, plus one bonus point)
What is the difference between specific and general deterrence? (2pts)
Answer: Specific deterrence is when someone goes clean after being in prison because they have learned their lesson during the time spent there. General deterrence is punishment that is meant to serve as an example not just to the criminal but also to the general public.
Identify any ONE way our "routine activities" have changed since World War II which might explain the increase in crime. (1pt)
Answer: (a) homes vacant during the day because of both spouses working, or
(b) 24hr. convenience stores, or
(c) ATMs
GREEN FAMILY: (earns 3 points)
What was Akers' main criticism of labeling theory, as brought out in the passage I quoted in class and posted on the blog? (2pts)
Answer: (the answer posted needed to be re-worded; the first part was incorrect)
Akers argues that the BEHAVIOR creates the LABEL rather than the label creating the behavior, and the ensuing criminal and deviant behavior continues the label more than the label continues the behavior.
Remember that these questions will be on the test. They will be inserted in the appropriate place.
OUTLINE OF TOPICS COVERED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER
I. Defining Deviant and Criminal Behavior
A. 1965 survey & Soc. 220 Class '02
B. Matza's definition of deviance & criticism
C. Goode's (better) definition of deviance (an improvement over Matza, but still based on attitudes and opinions)
D. Definition of Crime (similar issue with definition of deviance)
II. Crime Statistics
A. Weakness of FBI's Uniform Crime Reports.
B. War on Drugs' Statistics
C. Joel Best, "Telling the Truth About Damned Lies and Statistics" (handout)
III. Theories of Criminal and Deviant Behavior
A. What is theory?
B. Macro-Micro Distinction
C. Comment from "What 'Capturing the Friedmans' Says About Getting Tough on Crime" (posted on the blog)
D. "The Lost Distinction Between Explain and Justify" by Orlando Patterson (handout)
E. Deterrence/Rational Choice/Routine Activities
1. Posted much of this on the blog, especially criticisms of deterrence and rational choice.
2. Critical look at "get tough" policies of the last 25 years which have largely been based on deterrence theory. Also, posted on blog critical comments about "Scared Straight" experiment.
F. Biological and Psychological Theories
1. Lombroso
2. Goring (critic of Lombroso)
3. E.A. Hooten
4. Modern biological theories, XYY, etc. (blog comments from "Elementary, Dr. Watson. The Neurotransmitters Did It")
5. Policy implications of biological theories
6. Psychological theories (psychoanalytical & personality theories)
7. Overall criticism of both biological and psychological theories.
The bulk of this was posted on the blog.
Sociological Theories:
A. Differential Association/Social Learning (Sutherland/Akers)
B. Social Bonding and Control Theories (Hirschi)
1. "3:00, Nowhere to Go" (handout)
C. Labeling Theory (Becker and others)
1. "Saints and Roughnecks" (handout)
D. Social Disorganization Theory (Chicago School sociologists, 1920s & 30s)
E. Anomie or Strain Theory (Robert Merton)
1. Blog material -- description of Merton's anomie theory and relevance to today from The Cheating Culture.
F. Contemporary Theories (all of which focus mainly on what are considered biases in our criminal justice system)
1. Conflict Theory
2. Marxist Theory
3. Feminist Theory
CRIME TYPES, Chapters 1 & 6 which I hope to cover tomorrow in class.
I'll be handing back your essays tomorrow, and I'll try to set aside at least 20 or 30 minutes for review.
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1 comment:
I am so sorry I completely forgot to post my family's questions. everyone worked so hard to come up with them and give me a copy of them. It is completely my fault that my family has not posted yet and I have no excuse for my irresponsibility. I really hope that my forgetfulness will not hurt the rest of my family's grades. Here is a copy of our questions:
1) What is the difference between specific and general deterrence?
Answer: specific is dependent on the individual. For example, weither or not they learned a lesson. General deterrence however, is making an example to the public.
2)Define the five modes of adaptation explained in the anomie theory.
Answer:
1-Conformity = the only non criminal, non deviant approach which an individual accepts his or her situation and deals with it.
2-Innovation = Criminals accept role of success but create illegitimate means to get it.
3- Rebellion = reject the means and the ends (reject the system)
4-retreatism = escapist route usually through drugs and alcohol
5- Ritualism = a person gives up on the struggle and lowers his or her expectations o society in order to fulfill them. this is considered a deviant response not a criminal response.
3)What is one criticism of the social bonding theory?
Answer: the aspect of self control can not be defined.
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