Question 1

Sutherland's theory of differential association identifies two primary socialization influences: agents of socialization and content of socialization.

Accepted Answer

Sutherland's theory of differential association suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others (agents of socialization) and by learning the techniques, motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes of criminal behavior (content of socialization).

Question 2

Differential association theory posits that crime is more likely when an infrequent, yet more personally significant, role model is interacted with.

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory suggests that crime is learned through regular interactions with others who engage in or advocate for criminal behavior, not necessarily through infrequent interactions with significant role models.

Question 3

Differential association theory is considered the second general theory of crime, developed shortly after the first general theory, social disorganization.

Accepted Answer

Differential association theory, developed by Edwin Sutherland, is not considered the second general theory of crime but rather one of several theories explaining criminal behavior through social interaction and learning, not directly following the concept of social disorganization.

Question 4

Cultures themselves are often the contexts in which socialization occurs.

Accepted Answer

Cultures provide the norms, values, and practices that guide the process of socialization, teaching individuals how to behave and interact within their society.

Question 5

Subcultural and cultural theories assume that ideas, like values and norms, are fairly important essential ingredients in any attempt at understanding how crime is learned.

Accepted Answer

Subcultural and cultural theories of crime focus on the idea that individuals learn values, norms, and behaviors from the cultural or subcultural groups they are part of, suggesting that these ideas are crucial for understanding the learning process of criminal behavior.

Question 6

Cultural transmission theory is a subcultural theory in criminology.

Accepted Answer

Cultural transmission theory, a subcultural theory in criminology, suggests that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions within intimate personal groups.

Question 7

Subcultures are typically found only in middle-class settings where there has been a rebellion of sorts from conventional culture.

Accepted Answer

Subcultures can be found in various social, economic, and cultural settings, not just within middle-class environments. They emerge among groups that share interests, beliefs, or lifestyles distinct from those of the larger culture, regardless of class.

Question 8

Albert Cohen was the first to develop a general theory of subcultures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Albert Cohen was the first to develop...

Question 9

Subcultural theories in criminology declined in popularity during the 1960s and never again experienced any resurfacing of interest.

Accepted Answer

Subcultural theories in criminology did experience a decline in popularity during the 1960s but have seen resurgences of interest, particularly as scholars continue to explore and expand upon the concepts of subcultures in relation to crime and deviance.

Question 10

Differential association can vary by frequency, intensity, and duration.

Accepted Answer

Differential association, a theory developed by Edwin H. Sutherland, suggests that individuals learn criminal behavior through their interactions with others. The theory posits that the learning process varies by frequency (how often interactions occur), intensity (the significance of the interaction or relationship to the individual), and duration (how long the interactions last).

Question 11

If you were to drink a shot of alcohol and your friends responded by cheering and encouraging you to take another shot, this is an example of positive punishment.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of positive reinforcement because the cheering and encouragement from friends serve as a reward, increasing the likelihood of repeating the behavior. Positive punishment involves adding an unpleasant consequence to decrease a behavior.

Question 12

If after you did a particular behavior such as smoke some pot and your friends responded by ending their friendship with you, this would be an example of negative punishment.

Accepted Answer

Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus after a behavior, in this case, the removal of friendship in response to the behavior of smoking pot, which is intended to decrease that behavior in the future.

Question 13

According to Sutherland an individual becomes delinquent because of excess of definitions favorable to crime.

Accepted Answer

Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association Theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others; individuals become delinquent because they are exposed to more definitions favorable to violation of law than to definitions unfavorable to violation of law.

Question 14

One reason subcultural theories declined in popularity during the 1960s and 1970s was because of the rise in popularity of strain theory.

Accepted Answer

Subcultural theories declined in popularity not primarily because of the rise of strain theory, but due to the increasing influence of labeling theory, conflict and critical theories, and a shift towards understanding crime through broader social structures and inequalities, rather than through the lens of subcultural values or adaptations to strain.

Question 15

Walter B. Miller proposed his focal concerns theory to explain gang delinquency.

Accepted Answer

Walter B. Miller's focal concerns theory was indeed proposed to explain gang delinquency, suggesting that lower-class culture has its own set of focal concerns (such as toughness and street smarts) that influence gang behavior.

Question 16

_______________ theories emphasize the influence of the social environment and the socialization process for explaining individual-level criminal involvement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______________ theories emphasize the influence of the...

Question 17

_______________ is the theorist who is primarily credited with making significant revisions and advancements to differential association theory (e.g., including how learning takes place).

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______________ is the theorist who is primarily...

Question 18

When an individual observes behavior in others and mimics it without necessarily understanding the consequences of their behavior, this process refers to _______________ ____________ ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When an individual observes behavior in others...

Question 19

Cohen argued that differential experiences of lower-class youth leaves them ill-prepared to compete in a world gauged by what he refers to as the _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cohen argued that differential experiences of lower-class...

Question 20

Trouble, toughness, and smartness are some of what Walter B. Miller describes as _______ ________ or characteristics of lower-class culture that foster gang delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Trouble, toughness, and smartness are some of...

Quiz 6: Learning and Cultural Transmission Theories of Crime