4 Social Contexts of Crime Free Online FlashCards

Do crime risk factors determine who will offend or become a victim?

Risk factors are associated with a higher likelihood of harm, but they do not determine who will offend or become a victim.

How can social contexts combine to affect risk?

Risks across home, school, and neighborhood can reinforce one another, while supportive relationships and institutions can provide protection.

What family practices can help protect young people?

Warm relationships, clear expectations, consistent supervision, and open discussion of problems can help protect young people.

Why might family prevention require practical support?

Economic stress and limited access to services can make support harder to provide, so prevention may require practical help as well as individual intervention.

How can delinquent peer groups increase risk?

Association with peers involved in delinquency can increase opportunities or pressure to take risks.

What can strengthen positive peer connections?

Positive friendships, supportive adults, mentoring, and constructive group activities can encourage safer choices.

Why should association alone not label a young person an offender?

Young people should not be treated as offenders simply because of the people they know; peer influence is not inherently harmful.

What school conditions can reduce risk?

School connectedness grows when students feel connected to adults and peers, can access learning meaningfully, and face clear, fair behavior expectations.

What should school prevention include beyond punishment?

Supportive school climates, trusted adults, family engagement, conflict-resolution skills, and responses suited to student needs can help prevent harm—not punishment alone.

Which neighborhood conditions can strain families and limit safe opportunities?

Concentrated disadvantage, housing instability, limited youth activities, and high violence can strain families and reduce access to safe opportunities.

Which neighborhood resources can support prevention?

Stable housing, accessible services, safe public spaces, and opportunities for young people can support prevention.

What is collective efficacy?

Collective efficacy is residents’ social trust and shared willingness to act toward common goals, including neighborhood safety.