Drugs & Crime Chp 2

Front 1

Whatis nature theory?

Back 1

Argues that within each of us exists an innate & universal need to alter state of consciousness. Would say it is a 4th basic need (along with water, food, and shelter).

Hint 1

Admits there is danger like kids spinning could lead to hyperventilation, but point is we can see this innate need.

Front 2

Nature theory: What are the arguments for its existence?

Back 2

1) Ubiquity Argument: This fundamental need has been documented in civilizations from the beginning of time, so we must all have this desire to alter state. Ex. Coffee, Exercise, music

2) Observable in children: Children spin in circles because it alters their states.

3) Drugs is just one method for altering state (effective one too)

Hint 2

Also observable in primates. Lemur in Madagascar licks millipede belly which has shrooms effect.

Front 3

For nature theory, Why do poor people get drugs?

Back 3

Drugs are cheaper than other forms. Rich people go on vacation, shopping, etc. (these are euphoric effects).

Front 4

What is the solution for Nature theory believers?

Back 4

Education not punishment. Teach individuals the risks of drugs so they can minimize the harm associated with it.

Front 5

Whatstudies are used to support genetic biological studies?

Back 5

1) Twin Studies: Study the drinking patterns of identical & fraternal twins. If identical more similar than suggests there's a link. This appears to be the case.

2. Adoption studies: Takes child born of alcoholics out of environment & into households w/o alcohol. Children still end up being or more likely to be alcoholics.

Hint 5

1) They say there may be a social factor because there is no found genetic marker for alcoholism. Twins tend to share same habits because tend to be close & share same peer groups.

Front 6

What is metabolic imbalance theory? Addiction to which drug is used as support for this theory?

Back 6

Individuals who use drugs, their biology literally changes and depends on the drug (usually heroin) to complete their metabolic cycle.

Hint 6

Can't quit cold turkey. To treat heroin addiction is through methadyl (synthetic opiate) to wane them off w/o withdrawal symptoms. Like diabetes & insulin.

Front 7

There has not been a genetic marker for alcoholism. Some argue Native Americans have problem due to "fire water gene" but not fact right now. Therefore genetic theory has tangential evidence not direct.

Back 7

:0

Front 8

What is predispositional perspective?

Back 8

Argues that genes interact with biological mechanisms to either encourage or discourage drug use. People are predisposed, but becuz of their biology they might not go on to do drugs.

Hint 8

Ex. Lady w/ 2 livers instead of four has less tolerance for alcohol so less makes her sick easily.

Ex. Some drink/do drugs to reduce anxiety, but some people it actually increases anxiety.

Ex. Some become ill easily or intoxication. Asians shown to have lower level of enzyme that metabolizes alcohol. Many will report flushing repsponse, dizziness, nausea.

Front 9

What is sensitization theory?

Back 9

Explains why some individuals experience a strong psychological urge to use drugs, independent of any physiological need. People who use drugs for a long time have reorganization of incentive reward & motivation centers in the brain. Alters neurological organization of brain & increases desire to use drugs. The region has become hyper-sensitive to the direct effect of the drug making people want to use those drugs more than a typical person even though physiologically they don't need it.

Front 10

Whatis disease theory?

Back 10

People use drugs/alcohol because it is a disease. (Smith and Wilson called it a disease to convey the enormity of the problem)

Front 11

What important contribution did Elvin Jellinek make with respect to alcoholics?

Back 11

He tried to test alcoholism as a disease in the 1960s and was somewhat successful in elevating this idea of disease to the medical community. He made a classification system based on "loss of control". Known as "Father of Disease theory"

Hint 11

He wanted to distinguish alcoholics from everyday drinkers. People who were alcoholics progressed from alpha to Epsilon. Used greek letters

Front 12

What were the criticisms of his research on which he based his typology?

Back 12

1) Studied AA members only (No control group)

2) Low response rate (less than 100 out of 60,000 responded)

3) No females

Hint 12

Gamma and higher is considered having the disease.

Front 13

These guys founded AA when they discovered they were more successful quitting alcohol in a group than being alone. This is due to expectations of the group and shame. They called alcohol a disease but criticized cause a disease needs to be measured.

Back 13

Smith and Wilson (1930s)

Front 14

Solution for Disease Theory?

Back 14

Will be unsuccessful because today related to punishment & reinforcement rather than rehabilitation.

Front 15

What is Self-Derogation Theory? (psychological theory)

Back 15

Inadequate Personality Type—psychological pathologies, defects, or inadequacies explain drug use.Response to low self-esteem and self-rejecting attitudes . Use drugs to maximize positive attitudes while minimizing negative one (self-esteem motive).

Hint 15

According to this theory, if family calls child fat, ugly, etc. they will hold those unfavorable views & use drugs to increase euphoria & feel good about themselves.

Front 16

What is Problem Behavior Theory? (psychological theory)

Back 16

Drug use is symptomatic of underlying personality traits.Most importantly is risk taking and unconventionality. Also include, desire for independence, tolerance toward differences and deviant behavior, rebellion and pleasure seeking, and susceptibility to peer influence.Acknowledges that the behavior is only a problem because society has deemed it so. Behavior is not evil.

Hint 16

Behaviors tend to lead to negative consequences to others who criminalize these behaviors. Ex. Risk takers like speeding. Behavior not bad but doing something quite good.

Ex. Martin Luther King JR; Jimi Hendrix are risk-takers.

High school tells us not to do drugs, kids do it in order to obtain independence.

Front 17

What is operant learning theory and how is it related to drug use?

Back 17

Individuals model their behavior in response to rewards & punishments which determine usage.

Hint 17

Ex. Officer arrests for drugs, you won't do it again because of punishment.

Front 18

What is Social Learning Theory and how is it related to drug?

Back 18

Ronald Akers (1973). Emphasized the Psychological processes of learning—focusing on imitation and operant conditioning.Related to psychological theories through Operant Conditioning (social and physiological rewards result in reinforcement and/or punishments). Teaches user (Social Learning) the rewards and consequences of using.

Hint 18

Ex. Hangover from alcohol can discourage use. (negative)

Ex. Drinking can make you part of the group (positive)

Front 19

How are parents and peers related to social learning over the life-course?

Back 19

Parents and peers primarily govern your behavior in life. Parents through childhood can socialize kids to drugs. For adolescence it the dominant governor of behavior are peers.

Hint 19

Life course theory.

Front 20

Differential Association Theory (Edwin Sutherland 1924) was 1st Social Learning type theory. Argued was result of interaction & communication. Within groups, individuals learn the methods, motives, & rationalization of drug use.

Back 20

Method: Someone has to show you how.

Motive: Give you reason to

Rationalization: Rationalize why it is okay to do. "I'm not hurting anybody"

Front 21

Social Learning theory recognizes that whether the effects of a drug are desirable or not is in part determined by social learning. This is by Becker.

Back 21

After time you will convince yourself that it is good.

Hint 21

Ex. People don't like beer at first but eventually grow to like it.

Front 22

Whatis subculture theory? How is it related to social learning theory?

Back 22

Drug users are part of a larger culture, but have their own set of values, customs,and norms which distinguish them. These groups reinforce drug using value systems

Hint 22

Related to social learning because you see this accepting culture so you get this social reward that encourages you to use the drug.

Front 23

Whatis Social Control/Bonding theory?

Back 23

Travis Hircshi (1969) believed all people were prone to crime/deviant. Wanted to know why some people don't commit crime. Believed answer came from how they were bonded to society AKA their conventional attachment to society (friends, family, work, school, church). The stronger/greater # of ties that somebody has w/ conventional society, the less likely the individual is going to engage in crime/drugs.

Front 24

What are the four elements to being bonded to society?

Back 24

1) Attachment: feelings towards others. (care how others feel about them)

2) Commitment: involved in society. (education, wealth, occupation) Why? they have more in stake (can lose job)

3) Involvement: the amount of time people spent in conventional activities. (ppl who work, school, have less time to do drugs)

4) Belief: extent to which an individual endorses conventional rules. (some believe government has no right to stop drug use if not harming anybody).

Front 25

Whatis the empirical status of Social Control/Bonding theory in explaining drug us?

Back 25

Not much support for predicting drug use because it deemphasizes the influence of peers. Effect is only indirect since not through peers, only family.

Front 26

Jellinek’s Typology:
___ Alcoholism: earliest stages. “Problem drinker” who is psychologically dependent to relieve physical or psychological pain.
___ Alcoholism: “Heavy Drinker”. May have Cirrhosis, but no physical addiction or withdrawal symptoms.
___ Alcoholism: Physical dependence & tolerance to alcohol. Out of control and have a “disease”.
___ Alcoholism: same as gamma, but inability to abstain instead of loss of control.
___ Alcoholism: Most advanced. Constant craving for alcohol.

Back 26

Alpha; Beta; Gamma; Delta; Epsilon

Front 27

Robert Merton (1938) Individuals motivated to deviance as a result of the disjunction between goals and means. He found two things. What are they and why? Heavy reliance on economic strains limits applicability to Drug Use.

Back 27

Classical Strain Theory

1. Crime rate worse in U.S.

2. Crime concentrated disproportionately on the poor.

WHY?

1. U.S. has more emphasis on wealth than other nations (Europe care more about job). Cultural goal is WEALTH. Institutional means is hard work, gratification, education. Can reject institutional means to obtain wealth though. Problem is US has more emphasis on economic wealth rather than institutional means.

2. Lack of proper institutional means. hard work, education not offered often for lower class so have to turn to illegitimate means.

Hint 27

Cultural goal & institutional means is the problem.

Front 28

Neir Dirkchime trying to understand increase of suicide during industrialization period in Europe. Because of fundamental shift in society. Societ went to organic (group work/tribal/hunting) to mechanical (by yourself) so resulted in feeling of ___ or normaliceness. ___ not likely to commit suicide because detrimental to the group but ___ likely because no pressure.

Back 28

anomie; organic; mechanical

Front 29

Robert Agnew (1992) More applicable to drug use because it includes additional sources of strain (notj ust economic strain) (e.g., loosing a job or getting a divorce). Strain results in a range of emotions: anger, depression, frustration, and fear. Individual responds to cope with the strain. Can do so legitimately (going to see a therapist) Cando so Illegitimately (turn to drugs/alcohol). Alleviates strain-related distress, depression, and despair. As such, it may actually exacerbate stress levels and lead to increased usage levels. (can make things worse)

Back 29

General Strain Theory;

Front 30

Effects of Economic Strain (or poverty) on drug/alcohol use are ____ across different segments of society. ___ males ___ alcohol consumption with income, while reverse is true for Blacks. More money blacks have the ___ likely to do drugs. Blacks suffer more from drug usage levels from strain than do Whites and Hispanics. Cost & effect worse. Discriminated so feel they've lost all hope. Unemployment divorce more likely.

Back 30

not equal;

white; increased; less

Front 31

Macro theory. focuses on society rather than the individual. Result of power differential in society—not consensus.
Drug Laws are made by those in power (historically white males).
Use drug laws to bring coercion and force to bear on the poor & powerless when they see fit.
Drug Enforcement concentrated in areas of relative poverty which are historically occupied by minorities.
Capitalism has led to significant disparities in income which leads the poor to turn to drugs for relief.
Lackof gainful legitimate economic opportunity makes drug dealing look attractive

Back 31

Social Conflict Theory (controversial)

Hint 31

Most crime in transitional zone why? Not much stability in area because residents are always trying to flee this area. Weakens former controls. Extreme poverty. Great majority of police sent here.