Evaluate 1 social explanation to help Emily (15)

• Para 1: gender socialisation

  • P: One social psychological explanation of criminal behaviour is differential gender socialisation.
  • E: This theory suggests that males and females are brought up differently, leading to differing tendencies in criminality. Boys are typically encouraged to be aggressive, competitive, and take risks, all of which are linked to criminal behaviour.
  • E: Girls, by contrast, are socialised to be nurturing, passive, and conform to rules, making them less likely to offend.
  • L: Emily might consider how James' upbringing and gender expectations may have shaped his behaviour
• Para 2: male socialisation promotes aggression

  • P: Evidence supports the idea that male socialisation promotes risk-taking and aggression.
  • E: The higher rate of male criminality, especially in violent crimes, is consistent with this view. Research also supports that boys are more likely to be reinforced for their aggressive play and risk-taking (Sutherland, 1947).
  • E: This can lead to the internalisation of aggressive norms, making them more prone to committing crimes.
  • L: In James' case, if he grew up in an environment that rewarded dominance and aggression, this may explain his criminal tendencies.
• Para 3: female criminality

  • P: However, some researchers argue that crime statistics may underestimate female criminality.
  • E: The chivalry hypothesis (Pollak, 1950) suggests that men in the criminal justice system treat women more leniently, influenced by traditional gender norms.
  • E: This might lead to fewer arrests or convictions for women, masking true crime rates. If true, it challenges the idea that socialisation alone accounts for differences in crime, and instead points to systemic bias.
  • L: This would mean James' behaviour might not be so different from that of some females, but the justice system may respond differently based on gender.
• Para 4: Biological factors

  • P: Biological factors also challenge a purely social explanation.
  • E: Testosterone, a hormone more prevalent in males, is strongly linked to aggression. Dabbs et al. (1987) found that prisoners with higher testosterone were more likely to have committed violent crimes.
  • E: This suggests that while socialisation plays a role, biology also contributes to gender differences in criminal behaviour.
  • L: Therefore, James' aggression may not just stem from upbringing, but also from biological predispositions.
• Conclusion

  In conclusion, gender socialisation offers a useful social psychological explanation that can help Emily understand James' behaviour, particularly through the lens of learned aggression and societal explanations. However, its limitations - such as overlooking biological influences and possible systemic biases - mean it should be considered alongside other explanations for a more comprehensive understanding.