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Again, you are responsible for the subject matter related to all nine questions; however answer only five of the nine questions. YOU MUST CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE FIVE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE SELECTED TO ANSWER.
- Please explain the general premise and important elements of differential association theory. Do all nine propositions of differential association theory remain relevant today (70 years after it was first presented)? How could differential association theory guide crime prevention policies?
- How did Akersextend Sutherland’s differential association theory? How could Akers’s social learning theory guide crime prevention policy?
- Of the four concepts in Akers’ssocial learning theory, which do you think is the most important for the initiation of behavior? Why? Which is most important for maintenance of behavior? Why? Give examples of positive and negative reinforcements and direct and indirect punishments.
- Please explain the general premise and important elements of social disorganization theory. Are inner cities today still characterized by the elements of social disorganization (poverty, rapid population growth, heterogeneity, and transiency) put forth by Shaw and McKay? Explain your answer.
- What policy implications can come from Shaw and McKay’s findings that characteristics of the area, not the people, regulated delinquency?
- How did Sampson and Wilson extend social disorganization theory? What is the role of race? What is the role of inequality? What is the role of culture?
- What is the difference between anomie and strain theories? How would anomie theory explain the exceptionally high crime rates in the United States? Why does the almost exclusive focus on monetary success lead to high crime rates in the United States?
- Give examples of each of the five individual adaptations to strain presented by Merton’s classic strain theory. What are some policy implications of classic strain theory?
- Distinguish Agnew’s general strain theory (GST) from Merton’s classic strain theory? How did Agnew extend classic strain theory? Give an example of each of the three types of strain Agnew presents in (GST). How do strains lead to crime, according to GST?
Part 2
In 2013 a criminal defendant raised a criminal defense called affluenza. Research this case.
Summarize and report the circumstances of the case.
Explain the substance of the defense and how it was used to affect the defendant’s criminal liability.
Was the defense successful or unsuccessful? Why or Why not?
Which of the five types of agency impairments was/were implicated in the case?
