Rachel Joseph
2054239
CJ-340
August 2, 2022
6-2 Module Six Assignment
Our culture influences how we work and play, as well as how we see ourselves and others. It has
an impact on our values--what we regard to be good and bad. This is how our society shapes our
decisions. However, our actions can have an impact on others and eventually help form our
society (Facing History and Ourselves, 2019). Culture plays a significant role in the development
of crime, according to Cultural Deviance Theory. Crime is not always a result of inherent
character flaws, but rather the result of where people live, who surround them, and the
socioeconomic conditions in which they live (Drew, 2022). Essentially, crime becomes social
capital via which criminals may manage societal expectations to attain prestige, particularly
within specific subcultural groupings (such as criminal gangs). Furthermore, cultural experience
informs the specific way identity is acquired via violence. Offenders from more individualist
cultures were driven to transgress in ways that established personal identity, whereas those from
collectivist cultures were motivated to offend in ways that prioritized cultural pride to make the
"group" appear "good." However, culture is more than simply ethnicity. Other "cultures," such as
masculinity and a criminal subculture, influence violent crime by giving people certain rules to
follow and methods of comprehending social interaction (Seidler, 2011)
By having a broad base of understanding about the how's and why's of human behavior, we can
better understand ourselves and others. Each theory provides a context for understanding a
certain aspect of human behavior. Theories serve as a framework for comprehending human
behavior, thinking, and growth. We can better comprehend ourselves and others if we have a
broad grasp of the hows and whys of human behavior. Each theory provides a framework for
comprehending a certain element of human behavior (Cherry, 2019). These are referred to as
stereotyping and extreme individualism. It exaggerates a group's practices. The practice or
attribute is either more sophisticated than claimed or not as widely shared as suggested
(Background Information: Generalizing about Cultural Practices: Pitfalls in Generalizing About a
Culture, n.d.). In the process of learning to comprehend different cultures, generalizations can be
useful. When generalizations lead to negative stereotyping-unrealistic and exaggerated traits of
a group of individuals--they become harmful. Understanding oneself is the first step in learning
to understand others (The Dangers of Stereotyping, n.d.)
References
Background information generalizing about cultural practices pitfalls in generalizing about a
culture. (n.d.).
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/ssbi/pdf/generalizingaboutculturalpractices_bi.pdf
Cherry, K. (2019). Why Psychological Theories Exist And What Purpose They Serve. Verywell
Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/the-purpose-of-psychology-theories-2795084
Drew, C. (2022, July 6). Cultural deviance theory - definition, examples, pros & cons
Helpfulprofessor.com. https://helpfulprofessor.com/cultural-deviance-theory/
Facing History and Ourselves. (2019). Individual & Society. Facing History and Ourselves
https://www.facinghistory.org/holocaust-and-human-behavior/chapter-1/introduction
Seidler, K. (2011, June). What can culture add to an understanding of criminal violence |APS.
Psychology.org.au. https://psychology.org.au/what-can-culture-add-understanding.
criminal-violence
The dangers of stereotyping. (n.d.). Www.culturalsavvy.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from
https://www.culturalsavvy.com/stereotyping.htm