What Are The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Interpersonal Theory

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Developmental theories are the different views that are used to describe why criminal activity starts and why it continues or stops. Life course theory views an individual from childhood to adulthood and how they are influenced by other individuals, life experiences and personal traits. When kids are in trouble throughout their childhood, things like a stable job and intact relationships can help them deter from crime. On the other hand, some children continue to hang with the wrong crowd and develop a criminal career. This is an original theory first discovered by Sheldon and Eleanor Glueck. The major strength of this theory is that it focuses on the history of a person as well as present day. A weakness of this theory is that it is hard to keep up with the changes in society and the changes that can affect an individual’s way of life. Interactional theory is viewed that individuals get involved with crime due to …show more content…

In this theory there are two different sources of coercion; interpersonal and impersonal. Interpersonal involves the bullying and attacking of an individual by his or her family, peers, or spouse. Impersonal involves indirect pressures such as losing a job or poverty. The pros of differential coercion theory are that it explains how coercion determines behavior. Control balance theory suggests that when there is an imbalance of the control one is subjected to from others and the control one has over others, deviant and criminal behavior can occur. Predation, defiance, and submission are three types of behaviors an individual turns to, to restore balance. The strength of the control balance theory is that it shows how the ability to control the things around them is important. Although trying to take control of other people is considered a deviant behavior, it cannot be suggested that all individuals who try to balance out the controls in their life will commit

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