ATS1281 Study Guide - Final Guide: Positivism, Subculture, Social Disorganization Theory
30 Jul 2018
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Document Summary
Psychology sees offending as something that is learned. Pavlovian/classical conditioning) experiment with dogs presented with food accompanied by the ringing of a bell. Later, psychologist developed instrumental conditioning (operant conditioning) where behaviour is influenced by the consequences that follow, or are anticipated to follow, from it, such as rewards or punishments. Modern learning theories understand behaviour to be a consequence of contact with others, particularly via primary sources of socialisation such as the family and peer groups. Social learning theories hold that de(cid:448)ia(cid:374)(cid:272)e is a (cid:396)esult of a(cid:374) i(cid:374)di(cid:448)idual(cid:859)s interactions with deviant groups/subcultures/gangs. Structural factors identified in weeks 4 (social disorganization) and 5 (anomie/strain) increase the likelihood that some individuals/groups will become socialized in this way. If/how this deviance manifests depends in-part on the available opportunity structures. However, sykes and matza argued that delinquents exist in a state of drift; they do not fully reject mainstream values but rather neutralize these values/norms when occasionally choosing to offend.
