First, introduce yourself to the class. ( HELLO MY NAME IS SOFIA , MY MAJOR IS CRIMINAL JUSTICE ) ,Include your major and anything you would like to share about yourself. Then address the prompt below.
create a post on social deviance involving children and families. Explain why an expert should carefully choose which theory to use when diagnosing problems and evaluating families and children in the juvenile court setting. Support your position.
In your response posts to two other students, comment on the strengths of the methods discussed and make suggestions for potential alternatives.
RESPONSE POST 1 ( 2-3 SENTENCES )lakeisha
Hello everyone,
My name is La’Keisa, and my pronouns are She/Her/Hers. I do have a nickname (LK) that I go by because people tend to pronounce my name wrong. I am a 42-year-old Virgo who resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with My Husband and our Brady Bunch. I have three adult children: two daughters, 25 and 21, and a son (19). My husband also has three kids, all boys, 19, 14, and 13. fun fact: our boys, his oldest and my youngest, are only one day apart. We also have a grand dog (a Maltese named Preston, who has become my fur-son because my daughter pretty much abandoned him by leaving him at my house every day 😊. When I am not being the Fearless Ruler of my compound, you can find me sailing the seas on one of Carnival’s many cruise ships! Cruising is my passion, so I have recently started cruising at least six times yearly. It puts a small dent in my pocket but makes me happy. I am majoring in Healthcare Administration, with a secret goal to ace this Bachelor’s Degree so that I can “read for the Law” and pass the Bar to become an Attorney! While I am also a Department Administrator I do currently work part-time for a law firm as a paralegal. The firm is HUGE, and our main practice is Personal injury.
Social deviance in children and families can be understood through various theoretical frameworks, each offering different perspectives on the origins and manifestations of deviant behaviors. Selecting the appropriate theory is crucial for experts diagnosing and evaluating cases in juvenile court settings. Here’s an exploration of why careful theory selection is essential and how specific theories apply to different behaviors.
Choosing the proper theoretical framework when evaluating social deviance in children and families is critical for several reasons:
Accuracy in Diagnosis: Different theories focus on different aspects of behavior, such as individual pathology, family dynamics, or broader social influences. The correct theory ensures a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of deviance.
Effective Interventions: The theoretical framework guides the development of interventions. Interventions rooted in the appropriate theory are more likely to effectively address the root causes of behavior.
Holistic Understanding: Integrating multiple theories can provide a more holistic view of the child’s situation, leading to more nuanced and practical solutions.
Therories
Coercion Theory:
Application: Coercion theory, as discussed by Patterson, DeBaryshe, and Ramsey (1989), suggests that deviant behavior in children often arises from negative reinforcement cycles within families. For example, a child may learn to use aggression to escape parental demands, and parents may inadvertently reinforce this behavior by giving in.
Relevance: This theory is particularly relevant in cases where children display aggressive or oppositional behaviors. Understanding these dynamics can lead to family-based interventions that break these coercive cycles.
Self-Control Theory:
Application: Self-control theory, posited by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), argues that low self-control, developed in early childhood, leads to deviant behavior. This theory emphasizes the importance of early parental influence in teaching self-discipline and delayed gratification.
Relevance: This theory helps understand various deviant behaviors, including delinquency and substance abuse. Interventions might focus on enhancing parenting skills to improve children’s self-control.
Social Information Processing Theory:
Application: According to Dodge and colleagues (1990), this theory suggests that children who display deviant behavior often have deficits in processing social cues, leading to inappropriate responses such as aggression or withdrawal.
Relevance: This theory is applicable to peer-related issues and bullying. Interventions involve social skills training and cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve social information processing.
Experts in juvenile court settings need to select the theory that best fits the specific context and behaviors the child and family exhibited. For instance:
Aggressive Behavior: Coercion theory might be most relevant, leading to interventions to change family interaction patterns.
General Delinquency: Self-control theory could be applied to design programs that enhance parental guidance and improve children’s self-regulation skills.
Peer Conflicts: Social information processing theory might be the best fit, suggesting interventions that help children develop better social cognition and interaction skills.
Selecting the appropriate theoretical framework is essential for accurately diagnosing and effectively addressing social deviance in children and families. Theories like Coercion, Self-Control, and Social Information Processing Theory offer distinct perspectives that guide tailored interventions. Careful theory selection ensures that interventions are well-targeted, leading to better outcomes for children and families involved in the juvenile justice system.
References
Dodge, K. A., Bates, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (1990). Mechanisms in the cycle of violence. Science, 250(4988), 1678-1683.
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
Patterson, G. R., DeBaryshe, B. D., & Ramsey, E. (1989). A developmental perspective on antisocial behavior. American Psychologist, 44(2), 329-335.
Video: “Crime and Deviance” (2017). [Link to video].
Article: “Antisocial Behavior – Causes and Characteristics, Treatment” (2009). [Link to article].
RESPONSE POST 2 JENNA
My name is Jenna Sammel, and I am currently 28 years old! I live in Weirton, Wv which is a small old formerly bustling steel mill town 45 minutes outside of the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, PA. I live with my loving husband of 6 years Jon and our 3 adopted cats Nova, Ramona, and Dexter. I do not have any children just yet, but I would love to have some of my own hopefully in the next few years! I have always dreamed of going back to college to further my education and I am so excited to finally be doing so. I have been taking classes here at SNHU since March of 2021, and I love everything that this online education program has had to offer thus far. Prior to enrolling at SNHU to obtain my degree, I decided to take a few gap years to travel when I graduated from high school. I took this gap period in order to learn about different cultures and to make some of my own life experiences. I love traveling and I have now visited over 14 different countries. I still have many more I would love to cross off my list. Unfortunately, in 2020 I felt compelled to quit my job due to the pandemic, I did so to secure the best interest of my health since I have an autoimmune disease. Since I was no longer traveling and working at the moment due to the pandemic, I finally decided that it was the perfect time to pursue my bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration! I love to help people and I think this would be a great field for me to pursue due to also having prior management work-related experience. I am looking forward to continuing my education here at SNHU and I am extremely excited to see what this course can further help me learn.
When addressing social deviance involving children and families in the juvenile court setting, it is crucial for experts to carefully select the appropriate theoretical framework for diagnosing problems and evaluating cases. Social deviance, which encompasses behaviors that violate societal norms, can stem from a myriad of factors including family dynamics, socioeconomic status, peer influences, and psychological issues (Crosswhite & Kerpelman, Coercion Theory, Self-Control, and Social Information Processing: Understanding Potential Mediators for How Parents Influence Deviant Behaviors. 2009. The choice of theory significantly impacts both the understanding and the proposed interventions for these behaviors.
Why Theory Matters
1. Comprehensive Understanding: Different theories offer varying perspectives on the root causes of deviant behavior. For Instance, social learning theory emphasizes the role of learned behaviors from family and peers, while strain theory focuses on the stress and frustration from societal pressures and inequalities. Selecting the wrong theory could lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective interventions. 
2. Tailored Interventions: Effective treatment plans depend on accurately identifying the underlying issues. For example, if a child’s deviance is rooted in family dysfunction, as suggested by family systems theory, interventions should focus on improving family relationships and communication. If labeling theory is more appropriate, efforts might center on mitigating the impacts of societal labels and reducing stigmatization.
3. Holistic Evaluation: An expert must consider the broad spectrum of potential influences on a child’s behavior. Ecological systems theory, which examines the child within the context of multiple environmental layers, from immediate family to broader societal influences, can provide a more nuanced understanding. This holistic approach ensures that no significant factor is overlooked, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions.
Supporting my Position
Evidence supports the need for careful theory selection. Studies have shown that interventions based on accurate theoretical frameworks lead to better outcomes in reducing recidivism and promoting positive behavioral changes. While programs grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory have been successful in helping juveniles re-frame their thinking patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
The careful selection of a theoretical framework is essential for experts working in juvenile courts. It ensures a thorough understanding of the causes of deviance, the development of effective intervention strategies, and the provision of holistic care. By doing so, I believe that experts can more effectively support children and families in navigating and overcoming the challenges of social deviance. By providing a thorough and well-supported analysis, experts can help foster positive outcomes and support the long-term well-being of children and their families.