Posted: January 31st, 2023

Discussion 1: In your readings this week, Chapter 37: Social Learning Theory explains how theorists such as Edwin Sutherland believed crime is a result of learning behaviors associated with criminal a

Discussion 1:In your readings this week, Chapter 37: Social Learning Theory explains how theorists such as Edwin Sutherland believed crime is a result of learning behaviors associated with criminal activity. As a result, Sutherland developed the Differential Association Theory that includes 9 Principles of Differential Association to support his findings. Choose one of the 9 Principles of Differential Association that you agree with and explain why.Discussion 2:After reading the three Scenarios in Module 2, answer the following questions:Of all of the kinds of crimes describe in these three scenarios, which crime do you believe would be the easiest to prevent? In what ways could that crime be most effectively prevented? Explain your thinking, making sure to explain the theory that you believe accounts for this kind of criminal activity and thus why it would be relatively easy to prevent.Of all of the theories we have learned about, which theory do you believe has the most value overall in explaining the concept of crime?

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Module 2: Theories of Crime Causation
These questions test your understanding of key issues and concepts introduced in the section of
the course readings that relate to the topics covered in module 2. They are an excellent way to
prepare for the Fnal examination, and selections from among them will be assigned in the
conference section of the class.
±ollow your instructor’s guidelines on how to submit your answers.
Scenario One
James, the youngest of three boys, was raised in inner-city neighborhood in a large
American city. His father was rarely around, in large part due to having to spend time in
prison for selling drugs. His mother worked periodically as a maid but was not around much
either, because of the long hours she worked. James’s older brothers did not Fnish high
school, held various odd jobs, and got in trouble with the law for several minor o²enses.
In eighth grade, James joined a gang. As a member of this gang, he started committing
petty crimes, such as shoplifting. By the time he was in high school, he and other members
of his gang were mugging drunks and stealing cars. James dropped out of high school
during 10th grade and made most of his money through petty theft and selling marijuana.
He was arrested several times but received sentences of probation. After he turned 18,
James and two of his gang friends decided to rob a bank. They already had handguns,
which they planned to use in the holdup to discourage any resistance.
They selected a bank as a target and committed the robbery late on a ±riday afternoon.
They managed to get away with about $500 and never Fred their guns in the course of the
robbery. But they were apprehended and arrested a few blocks from the bank.
James was convicted on several counts, including armed robbery. Because he already had a
criminal record for minor o²enses, he was sentenced to prison for 10 years.
Questions for Scenario One
Of all the theories we have learned about in this module, which theory
best
explains James’s
involvement in crime? Write a page paper – Describe the theory that you think works best, and then explain why you
believe this theory accounts for James’s criminal involvement.
Scenario Two
Ralph was raised in an upper-middle-class family and attended private schools from
kindergarten through grade 12. Although his grades were average, he was able to attend
an Ivy League school because his father had graduated from that university. He majored in
Fnance, and after graduation, he was successful in obtaining a job in a major New York
Fnancial institution.
±or the Frst 10 years, he ³ourished in this environment and was rapidly promoted,
becoming the youngest vice president in the company’s history. Although he made an
excellent living, some of his coworkers were surprised at the lifestyle he was able to
maintain. It appeared to be well beyond what even his very high salary could support, but
colleagues merely attributed the extravagance to family wealth.

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These same coworkers were stunned when the FBI raided his ofce and Ralph was arrested
on several counts o± securities ±raud. Although he hired a high-pro²le attorney who was
very experienced in these kinds o± cases, Ralph was convicted o± securities ±raud o³enses
totaling more than $15 million. His arrest, trial, and conviction sent shock waves through
Wall Street.
Questions for Scenario Two
O± all the theories we have learned about in this module, which theory does the
poorest job
o±
explaining Ralph’s involvement in crime? That is, which theory does this scenario most directly
contradict? Write a page paper – Describe this theory, and then explain why you believe the theory is ine³ective in
explaining his criminal involvement.
Scenario Three
Jack’s ²rst public ofce was as a city commissioner in the small town in which he grew up.
He then ran success±ully ±or mayor and later ±or a seat on the state legislature. Throughout
his career in public service, he had been involved in some highly publicized pieces o±
legislation and had established a signi²cant reputation as an e³ective politician.
Jack came ±rom a working-class background but seemed to be able to connect with people
±rom all walks o± li±e. As his term in the state legislature was drawing to a close he decided,
with the encouragement o± a wide range o± supporters, to run ±or a seat in the United
States Senate. Although the incumbent was widely regarded as unbeatable, Jack won the
election in a spectacular upset.
His career in the Senate was equally spectacular, and he soon held positions o± power on
several important Senate committees. At the conclusion o± his second term, there was
considerable talk about a run ±or President o± the United States, and Jack decided to go ±or
it.
Two weeks be±ore he was going to announce his candidacy, however, the
New York
Times
published a story revealing that Jack had received signi²cant perks ±rom companies
that had bene²ted ±rom legislation he had introduced and success±ully shepherded through
the U.S. Senate. The story prompted a criminal investigation, which ultimately revealed a
long string o± bribes and extortion, with Jack at the center o± the controversy.
Although Jack denied all wrongdoing at ²rst, he soon realized that he would be censured
and removed ±rom the Senate and thus resigned his seat. At trial, he was convicted o± 13
separate o³enses, crimes that had been perpetrated over his entire career in public ofce.
Questions for Scenario Three
How serious is what Jack did, compared to ordinary nonviolent street crimes such as larceny?
What punishments do you think would be e³ective in deterring people like Jack ±rom committing
such crimes in the ²rst place? Explain your reasoning.
General Questions
1.
O± all o± the kinds o± crimes describe in these three scenarios, which crime do you believe
would be the easiest to prevent? In what ways could that crime be most e³ectively
prevented? Explain your thinking, making sure to explain the theory that you believe
accounts ±or this kind o± criminal activity and thus why it would be relatively easy to
prevent.

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