Question

Gregory is 16 years old and the only son of a notorious mob enforcer. His friends are low-level offenders. One night, Gregory is caught joyriding with his friends. According to the standard social science model (SSSM), which of the following statements best explains Gregory's actions?

A) Gregory's genetics determine his criminal behavior.
B) Gregory's environment and socialization influence his behavior.
C) Gregory is acting based on unconscious desires.
D) Gregory's actions are a result of his hormonal imbalance.

Answer 1

The standard social science model explains Gregory's joyriding as being influenced by his environment and socialization. His upbringing and associations suggest an environment that normalizes criminal behavior or lacks strong social bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the standard social science model (SSSM), the statement that best explains Gregory's actions of joyriding with his friends would be B) Gregory's environment and socialization influence his behavior. The SSSM emphasizes the role of social and environmental factors in shaping individual behavior rather than genetic or biological determinants.

This perspective aligns with sociological theories such as Social Disorganization Theory and Control Theory, which suggest that individual behavior is affected by the social environment and the strength of social bonds, respectively. Gregory's actions are likely influenced by his upbringing as the son of a mob enforcer and his association with friends who are low-level offenders.