Concept

In order to understand the authors reasoning it is important to understand the concepts of behavior development, i.e. how observation of a behavior leads to development of that behavior. It is also important to understand the dynamics in various groups to understand why behaviors may be imitated from some sources and not others.

Assumptions

The author is working on the assumption that there are no other factors which develop criminal behavior. For example the assumption is that if criminal behavior develops then the criminal will undertake criminal activity at any possible opportunity. The theory does not explain why some children grow up in an environment which promotes crime and yet does not develop these behaviors and vice-versa.

Implications

If the reasoning of the author were to be accepted it has serious implications with regard to child rearing. For example it implies that any children of known criminals are to become criminals themselves. This has implications as to fitness for parenthood of many adults. It also has implications for prejudice as it implies that any child growing up in a neighborhood which is troubled with crime will develop into a criminal also.

Point-of-View

While I accept the point of the author that the attitudes towards crime in the environment in which a child develops are crucial in determining future behavior, I believe that there are many other factors which are involved in the development (or not) of criminal behavior.

Chapter 35

Purpose

The central aim of the author's intent is to demonstrate how reinforcement acts on differential association to produce criminal behavior.

Question

The main question which is being addressed is: "How does reinforcement impact on criminal...

The information includes the reasons why the differential association theory will not lead to criminal behavior alone.
Inferences

The main conclusions which are gained from the information are that the exposure of a child to a pro-crime environment will not lead to development of criminal behavior alone. If reinforcement of criminal behavior is present, however, then criminal behavior will develop.

Concept

The main concepts which must be understood to follow the author's argument are the differential association theory and the concept of reinforcement and how it works.

Assumptions

The author works on the assumption that differential association does lead to criminal behavior. There is still no explanation as to how other factors may affect the response to exposure to criminal environments, or reception of reinforcement.

Implications

The implications to the research are particularly pertinent in preventing crime in environments which are not favorable. For instance the essay implies that even children who are raised in pro-criminal environments may be prevented from developing criminal behaviors if the reinforcement received is anti-crime.

Point-of-view

Overall, I think that the argument of the study is a far more convincing approach than differential association alone. There are still other factors which I believe may affect the situation, however.

References

Critique