What elements of social process theory apply to Downey’s situation?
- Examine the career and life of Robert Downey, Jr. Downey, a renowned actor, had a serious addiction to drugs. Write your conclusions to the following questions: Has Downey been labeled as an addict or a criminal? To what extent was labeling theory a factor in Downey’s judicial processing, his treatment, and his professional career? What elements of social process theory apply to Downey’s situation?
- Hirschi proposes that the stronger the social bond, the less likely one is to offend. Investigate which agencies and programs are available in your community to strengthen each of the four elements of social bond theory. Examples might be: attachment – Big Brothers/Big Sisters, commitment – banks that advertise special savings accounts for children, involvement – city soccer leagues, and belief – church youth leadership programs, etc.
- On a public service advertisement is a photo of a black male reading about a violent drug crime. How would you write your story that ends with the comment that, “The male in the photo is the police officer who apprehended the criminal.”
- Differential reinforcement theory by Akers and Burgess employs both differential association concepts and elements of psychological learning theory. Explain these processes and the same processes used in learning both deviant and conventional behavior.