Define choice and trait theories. List the shared features of these two theories. Do you agree or disagree that people must change rather than society? Why or why not?
What will be an ideal response?
• Choice theory holds that youths will engage in delinquent and criminal behavior after
weighing the consequences and benefits of their actions; delinquent behavior is a rational choice made by a motivated offender who perceives that the chances of gain outweigh
any possible punishment or loss.
• Trait theory holds that youths engage in delinquent or criminal behavior due to aberrant physical or psychological traits that govern behavioral choices; delinquent actions are impulsive or instinctual rather than rational choices.
• Shared features: Both focus on mental and behavioral processes at the individual level.
• Delinquency is an individual level problem, not a social problem.
• Both recognize that because all people are different, each reacts to the same set of environmental and social conditions in a unique way.
• Not all people living under the same socioeconomic conditions behave in the same manner or react in the same manner.
• Because the root cause of delinquency is located at the individual level, delinquency prevention and control efforts must be directed at the individual offender.
• Student views will vary.
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