Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to

  • Describe the process of differential association
  • Describe the difference between differential association and social learning theories
  • Explain the social bonds in social control/social bonding theory
  • Explain the processes in life course theory
  • Analyze the three types of strain in general strain theory
  • Analyze the coping strategies in general strain theory and the place of delinquency in those coping strategies
  • Compare and contrast differential association, social control, and general strain theories
  • Compare and contrast the merits of the theories for explaining these race, class, and gender differences