Discussion Post
For this discussion post, we are going to focus on applying Learning/Differential Association Theories (DAT) to our further understanding of crime and human behavior.
After you have reviewed this week's materials, put yourself in the role of Learning/Differential Association Theorists, pick one or two of the questions/facts below (or more if you'd like), and explain these "facts" by primarily relying on these theories. Search for scholarly/academic articles that support some of those arguments. Please make sure to share with us what the study was about and its findings - include the title, year, and authors of the study or a link to the article.
In other words, think about the questions/facts below and ask yourself "How would Learning/DAT explain the following? Although there may be more to explaining these facts than these theories can account for (as always), try to primarily focus on the theories.
Delinquency
a) Why are kids more likely to engage in delinquent behavior if they have poor relationships with their parents?
b) Why are kids more likely to engage in delinquent behavior if they do poorly in school?
c) Why are kids more likely to engage in delinquent behavior if they have delinquent friends?
d) Why are kids more likely to engage in delinquent behavior if they live in "disorganized" neighborhoods?
The age-crime curve
a) Why does delinquency increase in adolescence, reaching a peak around 17-19 for most crimes?
b) Why does delinquency/crime decrease in adulthood, starting around age 20?