Briefly list and explain the three branches of social process theories. Explain how one of the theories might be used to explain the crime of theft

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Learning theory is the hypothesis that delinquents and criminals must be taught both the practical and emotional skills necessary to participate in illegal activity (Example: a child watches his mother steal from the convenience store every day and so starts to steal from the store himself when he visits)
• Control theories are a series of theories that assume that all individuals have the potential for criminal behavior, but are restrained by the damage that such actions would do to their relationships with family, friends, and members of the community (Example: a child does not steal at school even though he really wants the Nike's his locker mate just received as a present because he is fearful he will be caught and will get in trouble by parents)
• Labeling theories support the hypothesis that society creates crime and criminals by labeling certain behavior and certain people as deviant (Example: a teacher thinks a child is stealing things from other students at school, once the child realizes this and is talked to about this, he begins to steal since others think he is labeled as such already)