1. Daily Dig
Why do you think Lafeyette joined the 4 Corner Hustlers? Was it to conform? To rebel? For protection? For respect?
Can you relate? Have you ever joined a group or did something out of “group mentality” that you maybe wouldn’t otherwise have done?

2. Theories of Criminal Behavior
How do sociologists explain deviance?

3. Sociologists define deviance as acting against or contrary to social norms
Norms may vary from society to society - what is deviant in one society may not be deviant in another
Crime is an act that is prohibited by the state through laws and may be therefore be punished
...so then how do we explain deviance?

4. Theory #1: Strain Theory
Basis of STRAIN THEORY: social structures within society may ultimately pressure individuals to commit crime
Strain is caused by the discrepancy between culturally defined goals & the institutional means available to achieve those goals (according to Merton)
In America, these goals are usually economic ones
Some (otherwise moral) people are driven to crime out of the frustration & illegitimate opportunity structures associated with living in lower class communities

5. Theory #2: Control Theory
Criminal behavior is not caused by outside stimuli, but by what an individual wants most at any given time
Weak bonds between individuals and society free people to deviate (go against social norms); especially if individuals will benefit from it
Four bonds to society, when weak or broken, individuals will deviate

6. Theory #2: Control Theory
Four Social Bonds:
Attachment: sensitivity to the opinions of others
Commitment: investment of time & energy into conformity
Involvement: engrossment in conventional activity
Belief: belief that a person should obey legal rules
The question is not, “Why do individuals commit crimes?; It is “Why don’t individuals commit crimes?”

7. Crime may be explained as the convergence of three elements:
Focuses less on what motivates individuals to engage in crime, but rather focuses on the convergence of time and place of targets & the absence of guardians that enables crime to increase
Crime may be explained as the convergence of three elements:
1. Likely offenders (people who are motivated to commit crimes)
2. Suitable targets (the presence of things that are valued and that can be transported fairly easily)
3. Absence of capable guardians (people to prevent the criminal activity)

8. Applying Theories of Deviance to “There Are No Children Here”
Based on the theories we’ve discussed, which one best explains Lafeyette’s decision to join the Four Corner Hustlers?

9. Applying Theories of Deviance to “There Are No Children Here”

10. Strain theory poster:
A definition (in your own words) of strain theory
An explanation of the “culturally defined goals” that exist in the U.S.
At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate that there was a discrepancy between these goals and the ability of Horner residents to meet them, which then resulted in deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how strain theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).
Control theory poster:
A definition (in your own words) of control theory
An explanation of the four social bonds
At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate how weakened bonds between the characters in the book and their society lead these characters to engage in deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how control theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).
Routine activity theory poster:
A definition (in your own words) of routine activity theory
An explanation of the three elements that converge to create crime
At least FIVE examples from the text that demonstrate how the convergence of these three elements (identify them in each example) lead to deviant behaviors. Each example should include a quote with the page number, and an explanation of how routine activity theory explains the actions/behavior of the character(s).