Which theory sees crime as being learned through social interaction? Explain the subcategory of control theories.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers may vary.Social-psychological explanations view crime as being learned through social interaction. Sometimes called social-process theories in order to draw attention to the processes by which an individual becomes a criminal, social-psychological theories fall into two subcategories: control theories and direct learning theories. Control theory assumes that people will behave antisocially unless they learn, through a combination of inner controls and external constraints on behavior, not to offend. Learning theory stresses how individuals directly acquire specific criminal behaviors through different forms of learning.Control theories assume that people will behave antisocially unless they are trained not to by others. Young people are bonded to society at several levels. They differ in (1) the degree to which they are affected by the opinions and expectations of others, (2) the payoffs they receive for conventional behavior, and (3) the extent to which they subscribe to the prevailing norms. Some people never form emotional bonds with significant others, so they never internalize necessary controls over antisocial behavior.Reckless's containment theory is an example of a control theory. Reckless proposed that it is largely external containment (i.e., social pressure and institutionalized rules) that controls crime. If a society is well integrated, has well-defined limits on behavior, encourages family discipline and supervision, and provides reinforcements for positive accomplishments, crime will be contained. But if these external controls weaken, control of crime must depend on internal restraints, mainly an individual's conscience. Thus, a positive self-concept becomes a protective factor against delinquency. Strong inner containment involves the ability to tolerate frustration, be motivated by long-term goals, resist distractions, and find substitute satisfactions. Containment theory is an "in-between" view, neither rigidly environmental nor entirely disposition-based. Containment accounts for the law-abiding individual in a high-crime environment.