13IndividualTraits.pptxWhat Impact Do Individual Traits Have on Delinquency?
Agnew (13)
Introduction to Individual Traits
Definition: relatively stable ways of perceiving, thinking about, and behaving toward the environment and oneself
Certain traits increase likelihood of delinquency
Clusters of related traits called “super-traits”
low self-control composed of several specific traits
debate over how many super-traits and the composition of these traits
What Traits Increase the Likelihood of Delinquency?
Low verbal IQ
Low self control
Irritability
Low verbal IQ 1. Defined: individuals have trouble expressing themselves, remembering information, and thinking abstractly 2. How does low verbal IQ increase the likelihood of delinquency ?
| Strain Theory | Social Learning | Control Theory |
| increases strain by making it more difficult to achieve goals and by increasing likelihood of negative relationships with others decreases likelihood of coping through legitimate channels | reduces likelihood of reinforcement for conventional behavior | leads to poor school performance, thus weakening one’s stake in conformity reduces ability to foresee consequences of offending and to exercise self-control |
Low Self Control
consists of several specific traits
impulsivity,
tendency to act without considering consequences of one’s behavior
strong preference for immediate versus delayed rewards
risk-seeking
hyperactivity
low ambition, motivation, or perseverance
amoral beliefs or beliefs favorable to delinquency
What effect does self control have on delinquency?
| Strain | Social Learning | Control | Labeling |
| Trouble achieving goals through legitimate channels likely to upset others likely to respond to strain with delinquency | attracted to rewards associated with crime since these rewards typically immediate find crime rewarding in and of itself since crime typically involves risky behavior ikely to view crime favorably | less constrained by direct controls and stake in conformity less thought given to consequences less constrained by beliefs | more likely to be labeled and treated as “bad” and rejected by conventional others labeling and rejection increases strain, reduces control, fosters social learning of crime |
Irritability
consists of several specific traits
heightened sensitivity to stressors or strains
tendency to attribute problems to malicious behavior of others
self-centered, little concern for rights and feelings of others
aggressive/antagonistic interactional style
What effect does irritability have on delinquency?
| Strain Theory | Social Learning | Control Theory | Labeling Theory |
| (1) provoke negative reactions from others (2) more sensitive to strains (3) more inclined to cope with strain through delinquency | (1) rejected by conventional others and associate with delinquent peers (2) find crime more rewarding | (1) less responsive to direct controls (2) less likely to condemn crime | (1) more likely to be viewed and treated as “bad” people (2) produces negative effects described above |
Why Do Individuals Differ in Traits?
Biological factors
Environmental factors
Biological Factors
1. genetic inheritance and biological harm
create predisposition for crime by influencing likelihood individuals will develop traits conducive to crime
influence development of such traits through effect on central nervous system and autonomic nervous system
2. genetic inheritance of crime
twin and adoption studies suggest genetic link to crime
cautions to consider
extent to which crime inherited may vary by type of crime and by type of offender
influential role in explanation of high-rate, chronic delinquency
genetic factors only partly responsible
delinquency most likely when individual has both genetic predisposition for crime and lives in environment conducive to crime
3. biological harm and crime
caused by variety of factors
mother’s poor health habits during pregnancy and/or delivery complications
exposure to toxic substances and/or poor diet
head injury
research problems
failure to control for relevant third variables
failure to conduct longitudinal studies
certain types of biological harm contribute to some crime
4. central and autonomic nervous systems
dysfunctions in frontal lobe of the brain
dysfunctions in left hemisphere of brain
under arousal of autonomic nervous system
reduced levels of serotonin
5. dysfunctions of central and autonomic nervous systems may lead to crime
increase likelihood that individual will develop traits conducive to crime
evidence of genetic effect on many traits linked to crime
evidence of biological harm influencing traits linked to crime
Environmental Factors
1. individual traits also function of social environment, particularly family environment and social class
early family environment
social class
2. difficult to separate effects of environmental and biological factors in precise manner
social environment can contribute to biological harm
biological factors can affect social environment
environmental and biological factors may condition effect of one another on traits conducive to crime
