Question 1

According to Akers and Sellers, when Elliott and associates measure peer attachment by deviant or conforming peer bonding, they are basically changing attachment into the same thing as differential peer association.

Accepted Answer

Akers and Sellers suggest that measuring peer attachment through deviant or conforming peer bonding aligns it closely with the concept of differential peer association, as both involve the influence of peers on behavior.

Question 2

In the Elliott and associates research testing a model of delinquency integrating strain, bonding, and social learning, it was found that variables taken from bonding theory were the best predictors of delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The research by Elliott and associates found that variables from strain, bonding, and social learning theories all contributed to predicting delinquency, but it did not conclude that bonding theory variables were the best predictors.

Question 3

Akers and Sellers argue that if two theories make conflicting predictions about criminal or delinquent behavior, they cannot be fully integrated.

Accepted Answer

Akers and Sellers suggest that conflicting predictions between theories indicate fundamental differences that prevent full integration, as integration requires compatibility and coherence between theoretical frameworks.

Question 4

Akers and Sellers argue that the concept of attachment in social bonding theory overlaps with both the concepts of differential association and imitation in social learning theory.

Accepted Answer

Akers and Sellers suggest that attachment in social bonding theory is similar to differential association and imitation in social learning theory because all involve the influence of relationships and interactions with others on behavior.

Question 5

Social bonding and social learning theories make opposite predictions regarding the effects of attachment to delinquent peers.

Accepted Answer

Social bonding theory suggests that strong attachments to delinquent peers can lead to increased conformity and reduced delinquency, while social learning theory posits that such attachments can increase delinquent behavior through the adoption of peers' behaviors and attitudes.

Question 6

The goal of theory integration is to identify commonalities across theories and synthesize them in a way that is superior to any of the theories included in the integration.

Accepted Answer

Theory integration aims to combine elements from different theories to create a more comprehensive and effective framework, enhancing understanding and application beyond what individual theories offer.

Question 7

Kaplan's self-derogation theory proposes that adolescents will gravitate to deviant groups that enhance self-esteem.

Accepted Answer

Kaplan's self-derogation theory suggests that individuals with low self-esteem may seek out deviant groups as a way to improve their self-esteem and gain acceptance.

Question 8

In spite of support for the idea of theoretical integration, attempts to propose such integrations in criminology have met with considerable indifference and skepticism.

Accepted Answer

Theoretical integration in criminology often faces indifference and skepticism due to challenges in combining different theories, potential loss of theoretical clarity, and the complexity of addressing diverse criminological phenomena.

Question 9

Research by Sampson and Laub, Warr, and others shows that the lowered rate of offending following the adolescent and young adult years is the result of increases in social bonds and reductions in association with deviant peers.

Accepted Answer

Research by Sampson and Laub, as well as Warr, supports the idea that as individuals age, they tend to form stronger social bonds and reduce associations with deviant peers, leading to a decrease in offending behavior.

Question 10

In her research on peer effects on delinquency, Haynie measured friendship networks among adolescents by asking teachers to identify the friendship networks observed among high school students.

Accepted Answer

Haynie measured friendship networks by asking students to nominate their friends, not by asking teachers to identify them.

Question 11

Efforts to integrate social learning and social bonding theory by recognizing the extent to which the two theories are referring to the same or similar variables are an example primarily of:

Accepted Answer

Conceptual integration involves combining concepts from different theories that refer to similar or overlapping variables or ideas, as is the case with integrating social learning and social bonding theory.

Question 12

Which of the following concepts from social bonding theory overlap with and may be subsumed under the social learning concept of definitions?

Accepted Answer

Belief in social bonding theory refers to the acceptance of social norms and values, which overlaps with the social learning concept of definitions, where individuals learn and internalize norms and values.

Question 13

According to Akers and Sellers, if one compares the empirical findings among tests of various theories of crime causation, which theory appears to have the strongest support?

Accepted Answer

Social learning theory has consistently received strong empirical support in studies examining crime causation, as it emphasizes the role of learned behaviors and social influences in the development of criminal behavior.

Question 14

Akers and Hirschi both have criticized some efforts at theoretical integration on the ground that some integrations:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Akers and Hirschi both have criticized some...

Question 15

Most existing proposals for theoretical integration attempt to synthesize:

Accepted Answer

Most theoretical integrations in criminology attempt to synthesize social control and social learning theories, as they both address different aspects of why individuals conform or deviate from societal norms.

Question 16

Akers proposes an integration of social control and social learning models that is built around:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Akers proposes an integration of social control...

Question 17

The most well-known theoretical integration-developed by Elliott and his associates-proposes that:

Accepted Answer

Elliott's integrated theory suggests that strain in family and school weakens social bonds to conventional others, leading to stronger attachments to delinquent peers.

Question 18

In empirical tests of the integrated theory proposed by Elliott and his associates, the strongest predictor of delinquency was:

Accepted Answer

Bonding to delinquent peers is often found to be the strongest predictor of delinquency in empirical tests of integrated theories, as associations with delinquent peers can significantly influence an individual's behavior.

Question 19

Krohn's network analysis focuses on what feature(s) of the social networks to which individuals are linked?

Accepted Answer

Krohn's network analysis emphasizes both multiplexity, which refers to the number of different types of relationships or interactions between individuals, and density, which measures how interconnected the members of a network are.

Question 20

It follows from Krohn's network analysis that lower rates of delinquency would be found among:

Accepted Answer

Krohn's network analysis suggests that strong social networks and community ties, such as those found in small communities where everyone knows each other, can lead to lower rates of delinquency.

Quiz 15: Integrating Criminological Theories