Description

MIDTERM EXAM

Instructions

Answer the following question, which is worth a total of 30 points. Answers will be graded on whether they answer the question, whether they are accurate, whether they are grammatically correct, and whether they are logically assembled. Answers can be no longer than eight pages double spaced (no smaller than 11 point font); I will not read beyond the eighth page.

The answers should include all relevant citations (excluding a pertinent citation will result in a lower grade). Your exams should be grounded in the empirical literature and I do not want you to express your opinions on the exam (you can discuss your opinions on the Discussion Board). Exams must be delivered to the Digital Dropbox (on Canvas) no later than 12:00 pm (EST; Noon) on June 3rd (no exceptions—ten points are deducted for each minute that the paper is late). I will not accept exams via email.

All exams must include a reference page and your name should be typed on the last page of the exam (or you will lose points). Last words of advice: do not cheat or plagiarize—I will catch you and you will fail the course. Failure to follow these instructions will adversely affect your grade. Your grades will be posted on Canvas as soon as I have finished grading all of them. If you have any questions about the grade that you received, feel free to contact me.

Essay Question

In the first half of this class, we have discussed Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime as well as Tom Tyler’s explanation for why people obey the law. At first glance, these two pieces of scholarship may seem very different and somewhat incompatible. Upon further reflection, there are a number of ways that these two perspectives could be integrated together.

Describe how these two perspectives could be unified. In so doing, be sure to provide specific examples on how to link the two together. At the same time, feel free to point out and discuss areas of each perspective that cannot be integrated. While this question provides you with much leeway in terms of how you want to answer it, all statements must be supported by published research.

Solution

Introduction

At face value, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime and Tom Tyler’s explanation for why people obey the law are separate pieces with differing perspectives. Critical evaluations of such theories through deeper analysis can yield areas of integration such as the case of Watts and McNulty (2015) whose work unified social learning theory and biosocial theory. In a similar manner, the goal of this essay is to describe how the two perspectives could be integrated.

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime

Gottfredson and Hirschi argued that the crime was caused by psychological personality trait – low self-control – and not social factors (Gottfredson, Michael, and Travis Hirschi, 1990). As such, analogous behaviour, crime, and delinquency was due to low self-control. The self-control theory (SCT) however received a backlash because their theory went against the ideological and political …….. (Click on the Buy button above to purchase the full essay – 2,100 words).

(The essay was already graded from FSU with a passing score so you’ll be assured of passing).