Question 1

Explain Matza's theory of juvenile 'drift'.

Accepted Answer

Student's might include the following in their response:
-Matza identified that most juveniles engage in acts of deviancy; but they adhere to a delinquent subculture
-Juveniles drift along a continuum; sometimes they engaged in behaviours that fit within social norms; at other times they engaged in delinquent behaviour
-Most young people move toward and remain within the conventional expectations of their community
-For a drift to occur, one must learn how to neutralise society's normative hold; one must interact with delinquents for this learning to take place

Question 2

Discuss the impact of labelling on juvenile offending and offer strategies that can be used to minimise this.

Accepted Answer

Student response could include the following:
-Introduce the topic
-Provide an outline of labelling theory (when crime is detected by police and juveniles are officially processed, they are at greater risk of developing deviant identities and engaging in further acts of deviancy/criminality)
-Discussion on the impact of labelling on juveniles (in particular: juveniles are particularly vulnerable to the response of others).Formal charges and court appearances can lead to the young person taking on a new self-image and the behaviours associated with the newly-acquired label.The greater the level of intervention, the greater the risk of recidivism
-Discuss options including: warnings, cautions, youth conference (designed to divert young people from the criminal justice system and reduce the risks associated with labelling.Youth conferencing focuses on the behaviour and the impact of the behaviour.It labels the behaviour rather than the young person).

Question 3

What is meant by 'techniques of neutralisation' as proposed by Sykes and Matza (1957).How has it influenced practice?

Accepted Answer

Responses could include:
-Means of justification for engaging in deviant behaviour
-Sykes and Matza identified five techniques of neutralisation
-Rationale for denying responsibility for wrong doing (e.g.'It wasn't my fault', 'Everybody is doing it', 'They made me do it')
-Also a way of denying injury (e.g.'Claiming that insurance will cover it', 'They have plenty of money', 'They won't even miss it')
-Claims a denial of victims; no one got hurt (e.g.'I didn't even touch them', 'They didn't even know I was there')
-Includes condemning the condemner (e.g.'Who are they to complain? They're ripping everyone off with the prices they charge.')
- Appealing to higher loyalties (e.g.'I stole the bread because my brother was hungry, I didn't do it for me')
-Influenced the introduction of diversionary conferences for young offenders.In conferences, young offenders must admit to the crime and listen to statements by police, victims and others affected by the crime.An outcome of conferencing is the offender is made aware of how their behaviour has impacted on others.It reduces the offender's ability to neutralise their behaviour.

Question 4

Which of the following interactionist perspective is not linked to juvenile justice practice of criminal justice diversion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Neutralisation theory
B)  Labelling theory
C)  Differential association
D)  Rational choice theory

Question 5

List and discuss the two forms of behaviour from a labelling theorist perspective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List and discuss the two forms of...

Question 6

Using Sutherland's theory of differential association, explain why an individual might engage in and continue with criminal behaviour.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using Sutherland's theory of differential association, explain...

Question 7

Sutherland proposed a theory of:

Accepted Answer

A)  Anomie
B)  White-collar crime
C)  Social disorganisation
D)  Social strain

Question 8

Draw on elements from strain, control and social learning theories to explain juvenile delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Draw on elements from strain, control and...

Question 9

Provide an outline of the underlying premises to symbolic interactionism and briefly discuss how they influence our understanding and response to the world around us.

Accepted Answer

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Exam 13: Interactionist Explanations