Criminological Explanation: Social Explanations Flashcards
Define labelling.
A theory that if a person is given a label by ourselves or others, society will treat them as such.
Define self-fulfilling prophecy.
A prediction of a person the causes them to internalise it and make it true.
Define social learning theory theory.
Suiting behaviours and values by observing and imitating other role models.
Describe how labelling can cause criminal behaviour.
Use a theorist in your answer.
If a person is labelled as a criminal that will define them and affect how society viewed them.
Becker believed that groups in power create deviance by making rules and only applying them to outsiders.
Describe how self-fulfilling prophecy can lead to criminal behaviour.
Labelling a deviant a ‘criminal’ can cause them to internalise this due to stigmatising and isolation they turn to deviant groups that match their label confirming it.
What is observational learning in the social learning theory?
Criminal behaviour can be learnt indirectly. The individual must observe and pay attention and must have the skill and capacity to replicate the act.
What is vicarious reinforcement?
When the individual views the role model being rewarded for their behaviour= more likely to replicate.
Define a role model and link it to crime.
A person an individual looks up to. Young offenders are especially susceptible to influence of role models.
Eg: A young offender may want to be a gang leader as they are respected and live a glamorous lifestyle.
What is the supporting evidence for the self-fulfilling prophecy?
Jahoda (Ghana)
Boys named after the days of the week they are born.
Monday= even tempered
Wednesday= Aggressive
Boys born on Wednesday are 3x more likely to be involved in violent crime.
What is the opposing evidence of the self-fulfilling prophecy?
A study showed that baby faced boys were more likely to be delinquent as they are overcompensating for their ‘weak’ label.
How can social explanations of crime be applied?
Increased knowledge about labels allows us to decrease crime levels.
Role models communicating shame about crime and demonising it will encourage individuals to reject that lifestyle.
How does gender affect labelling?
Boys and girls experience different socialisation. Boys rough play = labelled aggressive. Girls = passive.
What is the supporting evidence for social learning theory?
Bandura et al:
Children were more aggressive after observing a man being aggressive towards a bobo doll
= People replicate aggressive behaviour after observing a role model doing so.
What is the opposing evidence of SLT?
Reductionist:
Doesn’t account for all crime
Can’t explain opportunistic crime that hasn’t been observed
Decrease credibility as it cannot explain all crime.
What is the DT of SLT?
Eysencks personality theory.
Takes into account both biological and social factors.
