Northern Essex Community College
Module 5 What’s Next…
Use this section to wrap up the current module and prepare for what comes next.
Transition to the Next Module
As you complete this module, consider how individual characteristics and psychological processes influence criminal behavior. Throughout this module, you examined how intelligence, cognition, personality, development, and adaptation have been used to explain offending. You also explored the strengths and limitations of psychological explanations and considered how environmental pressures can influence behavior in ways that challenge simple notions of personal responsibility or pathology. These concepts highlight the importance of understanding crime as the result of complex interactions between individuals and their environments. The next module expands on this idea by shifting attention from individual-level explanations to social influences, exploring how group membership, peer associations, and subcultural values contribute to criminal and delinquent behavior.
Looking Ahead
In the next module, you will examine how crime and deviance can emerge through social interaction and group membership. Using social process perspectives, you will explore how criminal behavior can be learned, reinforced, and normalized within specific social environments. The module focuses on subcultures, peer influence, social learning, and the role of group norms in shaping behavior. Rather than viewing crime solely as an individual choice or characteristic, you will examine how social contexts influence attitudes, values, and actions. Through theory application and analysis of real-world examples, you will consider why understanding social influence is critical for effective criminal justice practice.
In Module 6, you will complete the following learning activities:
- Review assigned readings and videos related to social process theories, social learning, subcultures, and group influences on behavior.
- Review the module lecture presentation examining how criminal behavior can be learned and reinforced through social interaction.
- Participate in Discussion Forum #1 analyzing how subcultures develop and how group norms influence behavior.
- Participate in Discussion Forum #2 applying social process perspectives to explain crime, delinquency, and group-based behavior.
- Examine how peer relationships and social environments contribute to criminal learning and reinforcement.
- Analyze conflicts between subcultural values and mainstream social expectations.
- Complete the module writing assignment or learning activity applying social process concepts to real-world examples of crime, deviance, or group behavior.
By the end of Module 6, you will be able to explain how social interaction and group membership influence behavior, apply social process theories to crime and delinquency, evaluate the role of subcultures in shaping norms and actions, and assess how social influences affect criminal justice practice and prevention efforts.
How to Prepare
- Ensure all current module work is completed and submitted.
- Review feedback from your assignments and discussions.
- Stay on schedule and plan your time for upcoming work.
- Continue checking the course regularly and plan your time accordingly.
Final Reminder
Consistent effort each week is key to staying on track. Falling behind can make it more difficult to complete future assignments successfully.
Home 