Question 1

According to containment theory, juveniles who have both strong inner containment and reinforcing external containment are much less likely to become delinquent.

Accepted Answer

Containment theory posits that individuals with strong personal values, self-control (inner containment), and supportive external structures such as family and social institutions (external containment) are less likely to engage in delinquent behavior.

Question 2

Containment theory fails to account for self-esteem when explaining delinquent behavior.

Accepted Answer

Containment theory, proposed by Walter C. Reckless in the 1950s, does account for self-esteem as part of the inner containment mechanisms that protect individuals from engaging in delinquent behavior.

Question 3

Social control theory is also known as bonding theory.

Accepted Answer

Social control theory, which posits that people's relationships, commitments, values, norms, and beliefs encourage them not to break the law, is also referred to as bonding theory, emphasizing the importance of social bonds in preventing deviance.

Question 4

According to Thornberry's interactional theory, the initial impetus toward delinquency comes from a weakening of the person's bond to conventional society.

Accepted Answer

Thornberry's interactional theory posits that delinquency begins with a weakening of the individual's bond to society, which includes elements such as attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in societal norms. This weakening leads to an increase in delinquent behavior.

Question 5

Control theories holds that interactive processes are systematically related to the youngster's position in the social structure.

Accepted Answer

Control theories primarily focus on how the lack of proper socialization and the absence of internal and external controls can lead to deviant behavior, rather than emphasizing the relationship between interactive processes and an individual's social structure position.

Question 6

Lower-class youngsters often lack access to social capital-to the norms, networks, and supportive relationships they need if they are to realize their potential.

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the networks, relationships, and norms that facilitate collective action and provide individuals with access to resources and support. Lower-class youngsters often have limited access to such social capital, which can hinder their ability to realize their potential due to fewer opportunities for mentorship, support, and access to networks that can offer educational, social, and professional advancement.

Question 7

According to cultural learning theory, youths in disorganized communities are at little risk of delinquency.

Accepted Answer

Cultural learning theory suggests that youths in disorganized communities are at a higher risk of delinquency due to the prevalence of crime-promoting norms and the lack of positive role models.

Question 8

Shaw and McKay extended social disorganization theory by focusing on the social characteristics of the ________ as a cause of delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Shaw and McKay extended social disorganization theory...

Question 9

Social disorganization theory argues that delinquent behavior becomes an alternative mode of ________ through which youth who are part of disorganized communities are attracted to delinquent values.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social disorganization theory argues that delinquent behavior...

Question 10

Miller argued that a set of ________ concerns of the lower class characterizes this socioeconomic group.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Miller argued that a set of ________...

Question 11

According to ________, the acceptable method to attain culturally defined goals is through institutionalized means.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to ________, the acceptable method to...

Question 12

According to Merton, in ________, a person may go through the motions of attending classes and studying, but abandon the goal of success.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Merton, in ________, a person...

Question 13

In Merton's version of ________ theory, the set of purposes and interests a culture defines as legitimate objectives for individuals are called culturally defined goals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Merton's version of ________ theory, the...

Question 14

When delinquents commit crimes "for the hell of it,"Cohen refers to this as ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When delinquents commit crimes "for the hell...

Question 15

________ says that when status frustration occurs, the mechanism of reaction formation is used to deal with it.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ says that when status frustration occurs,...

Question 16

Criminal subculture is primarily based on criminal ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Criminal subculture is primarily based on criminal...

Question 17

Sutherland's differential association theory suggests delinquency is a(n) ________ behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sutherland's differential association theory suggests delinquency is...

Question 18

Walter C. Reckless developed ________ theory to explain both crime and delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Walter C. Reckless developed ________ theory to...

Question 19

Hirschi theorized that commitment to the social bond is made up of four main elements: attachment, commitment, involvement, and ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hirschi theorized that commitment to the social...

Question 20

________ is the theorist most closely identified with social control theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ is the theorist most closely identified...

Quiz 4: Social Structural and Social Process Theories of Delinquency