Daily DigDaily Dig

Why do you think Lafeyette joined the 4 Corner Why do you think Lafeyette joined the 4 Corner Hustlers? Was it to conform? To rebel? For Hustlers? Was it to conform? To rebel? For

protection? For respect? protection? For respect? Can you relate? Have you ever joined a group or did Can you relate? Have you ever joined a group or did something out of “group mentality” that you maybe something out of “group mentality” that you maybe

wouldn’t otherwise have done?wouldn’t otherwise have done?

Theories of Criminal Theories of Criminal BehaviorBehaviorHow do sociologists explain deviance? How do sociologists explain deviance?

➡ Sociologists define Sociologists define deviancedeviance as acting as acting against or contrary to social normsagainst or contrary to social norms

➡ Norms may vary from society to society Norms may vary from society to society - what is deviant in one society may not be - what is deviant in one society may not be deviant in anotherdeviant in another

➡ CrimeCrime is an act that is prohibited by the is an act that is prohibited by the state through laws and may be therefore state through laws and may be therefore be punishedbe punished

...so then how do we explain deviance?...so then how do we explain deviance?

Theory #1: Strain Theory #1: Strain TheoryTheory

Basis of Basis of STRAIN THEORY:STRAIN THEORY: social structures within social structures within society may ultimately pressure individuals to society may ultimately pressure individuals to commit crime commit crime

Strain is caused by the discrepancy between Strain is caused by the discrepancy between culturally defined goals & the institutional means culturally defined goals & the institutional means available to achieve those goals (according to available to achieve those goals (according to Merton) Merton)

In America, these goals are usually economic onesIn America, these goals are usually economic ones

Some (otherwise moral) people are driven to crime Some (otherwise moral) people are driven to crime out of the frustration & illegitimate opportunity out of the frustration & illegitimate opportunity structures associated with living in lower class structures associated with living in lower class communities communities

Theory #2: Control Theory #2: Control TheoryTheory

Criminal behavior is not caused by outside stimuli, Criminal behavior is not caused by outside stimuli, but by what an individual wants most at any given but by what an individual wants most at any given timetime

Weak bonds between individuals and society free Weak bonds between individuals and society free people to deviate (go against social norms); people to deviate (go against social norms); especially if individuals will benefit from itespecially if individuals will benefit from it

Four bonds to society, when weak or broken, Four bonds to society, when weak or broken, individuals will deviate individuals will deviate

Theory #2: Control Theory #2: Control TheoryTheory

Four Social Bonds: Four Social Bonds:

AttachmentAttachment: sensitivity to the opinions of others : sensitivity to the opinions of others

CommitmentCommitment: investment of time & energy into : investment of time & energy into conformityconformity

InvolvementInvolvement: engrossment in conventional : engrossment in conventional activity activity

BeliefBelief: belief that a person should obey legal rules : belief that a person should obey legal rules

The question is not, “Why do individuals commit The question is not, “Why do individuals commit crimes?; It is “Why don’t individuals commit crimes?” crimes?; It is “Why don’t individuals commit crimes?”

Focuses less on what motivates individuals to engage Focuses less on what motivates individuals to engage in crime, but rather focuses on the convergence of in crime, but rather focuses on the convergence of time and place of targets & the absence of guardians time and place of targets & the absence of guardians that enables crime to increasethat enables crime to increase

Crime may be explained as the convergence of three Crime may be explained as the convergence of three elements: elements:

1.1. Likely offenders Likely offenders (people who are motivated to commit crimes) (people who are motivated to commit crimes)

2. 2. Suitable targets Suitable targets (the presence of things that are valued and (the presence of things that are valued and that can be transported fairly easily) that can be transported fairly easily)

3. 3. Absence of capable guardians Absence of capable guardians (people to prevent the (people to prevent the criminal activity) criminal activity)

Applying Theories of Deviance to Applying Theories of Deviance to ““There Are No Children Here”There Are No Children Here”

Based on the theories we’ve discussed, Based on the theories we’ve discussed, which one best explains Lafeyette’s which one best explains Lafeyette’s

decision to join the Four Corner Hustlers?decision to join the Four Corner Hustlers?

Applying Theories of Deviance to Applying Theories of Deviance to ““There Are No Children Here”There Are No Children Here”

Strain theory poster: A definition (in your own words) of strain theory An explanation of the “culturally defined goals” that exist in the U.S. At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate that there was a

discrepancy between these goals and the ability of Horner residents to meet them, which then resulted in deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how strain theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).

Control theory poster: A definition (in your own words) of control theory An explanation of the four social bonds At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate how weakened bonds

between the characters in the book and their society lead these characters to engage in deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how control theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).

Routine activity theory poster: A definition (in your own words) of routine activity theory An explanation of the three elements that converge to create crime At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate how the

convergence of these three elements (identify them in each example) lead to deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how routine activity theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).