Compare and contrast Giordano et al.’s theory of cognitive transformation. How does their perspective differ from Laub and Sampson’s revised perspective?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Their theory departs from Laub and Sampson’s revised perspective in two ways. First, rather than conceptualize marriage and employment as “turning points,” Giordano et al. (2002) use the construct of “hooks for change.” These events create the possibility, not the inevitability, of change and desistance. In their view, offenders must take advantage of--that is, be “hooked by”--these opportunities to redirect their life course. This process involves not only the attractiveness of the opportunity but also the offender’s agency. As they note, “we want to emphasize the actor’s own role in latching onto opportunities presented by the broader environment” (p. 1000). Second, in contrast to Laub and Sampson’s amorphous concept of “human agency,” Giordano et al. see agency as manifesting itself in a “cognitive transformation” that involves four “cognitive shifts.” We should note that by identifying these specific features, Giordano et al. make their theory of desistance amenable to empirical assessment.