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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 16 page paper provides an overview of criminological theories, and compares and contrasts their essential elements. This paper applies these theories to specific issues, and demonstrates the value of one theory over others. Bibliography lists 12 sources.
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16 pages (~225 words per page)
File: MH11_MHCriThe.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
social organization, and differential reinforcement all introduce factors related to behaviorism and the impacts of socialization. Similarly, concepts like labeling theory, conflict theory and functionalism theories are based in
the dynamics of interpersonal or group interactions and are shaped by processes, rather than the characteristics of interactions. It is valuable to consider the grouping of specific theories
related to their fundamental characteristics as a basis for developing a view of the continuity of criminological concepts. In conjunction, it is also possible to define the correlation between
these theories and their application in understanding the basic similarities and differences in these two groups of theories. Social/Behaviorist Theories The first set of theories
being considered are social in their base and require a view of some of the factors that influence psychosocial development, including conceptual elements like behaviorism. Both behaviorism and psychoanalysis
were defined by determinism and reductionism, the belief that every behaviors has a cause and the belief that every behavior can be explained relative to the component elements that define
the behavior (Robins et al, 1998). These components were fundamental to the constructs of one of the most significant behaviorists, B.F. Skinner. B.F. Skinner made a significant break
through in the study of behaviors by his operand conditioning theory. Basically stated, Skinner demonstrated that positive reinforcers could directly impact changes in behavior (Robins et al, 1998).
Skinner demonstrated this new methodology using two premises, shaping and chaining (Kalat, 1985). Shaping is the process of providing positive reinforcers for close approximations of desired behaviors, in an
attempt to direct or "shape" the subject. When approximations become regular, the psychologist the changes the expectations, and redirects the subject to an even closer approximation, until the desired
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