Part II Chapter 8

Part 2: Ch. 8

Criminal behavior is learnedCriminal behavior is learned in

interaction with other persons in a process of communication

The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups

Part 2: Ch. 8

Differential Association

When criminal behavior is learned, the learned includes

(a) techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple;

(b) the specific direction of motive, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes

Part 2: Ch. 8

Differential Association

The specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable

A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of law

Part 2: Ch. 8

Differential Association

Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

The process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning

Part 2: Ch. 8

Differential Association

While criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values

It is not explained by those general needs and values, since noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.

Part 2: Ch. 8

Differential Association

Part II Chapter 9

Refers to an individual’s bonds to othersAttachment to others part of why we do

or do not care about norm violationsIf one does not care about the

expectations of others, he or she is free to deviate

Part 2: Ch. 9

Investment of time, energy, self in a certain pursuit: Getting an education, building up a

business, acquiring a reputationRisking the loss of such investments by

deviance or crime and facing punishments (time in prison) seems irrational

The concept of commitment assumes that the organization of society is such that most persons interests would be endangered if they engaged in crime

Part 2: Ch. 9

Involvement in conventional activities limits time, energy and opportunity to engage in deviant or criminal activity; “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”

Example: recreational programs and facilities to reduce juvenile delinquency

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Control theory assumes existence of a common value system within a society or group

Individual belief in set of values is variable: the greater a person’s acceptance of moral authority for a set of norms, the less like they are to violate them

Control theory differs from cultural deviance theory in this assumption of consensus within a society or group over a set of values

Part 2: Ch. 9

What kind of deviance and delinquency does Hirschi focus on and what are some of his assumptions?

How does his theory differ from structural perspective(s) of deviance?

Part 2: Ch. 9