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 the preclassical, classical, and biological/psychological theories to the sociological theories of differential association, social control, developmental/life course, and general strain
• 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