3.1.3 Social exp. 1: Differential Association Theory

Question 1

Is this a nature or nurture study?

Answer 1

Differential Association Theory (DAT) is a Nurture explanation for crime

Question 2

What is the DAT?

Answer 2

It refers to the fact that people vary the frequency with which they socialise with various groups

• suggests criminals are not born they are made

Question 3

Why do criminals hold such favourable definitions of crime?

4 bullet points

Answer 3

1. individuals are surrounded by a range of attitudes/definitions towards the law and crime
2. some def. will favour law violation (LV) others will be against law violation
3. DA reflects the ration of favourable to non-favourable def. of crime
4. if the def. are in favour of LV outweigh those against LV crime will be considered an acceptable way of life

Question 4

How many key principles did Sutherland propose?

Answer 4

9 key principles

Question 5

What are Sutherland’s’ 9 principles?

Answer 5

1. criminal behaviour is learnt not inherited
2. Learning occurs in interactions
3. Learning involves techniques and motives
4. Learning occurs in intimate groups
5. Learning occurs when exposed to
   pro-criminal def.
6. DA varies in frequency, duration, priority,
   and intensity
7. Process of learning is same to any other
8. CB is not explained by needs or values
9. Learnt through non-criminal behaviour as well

Question 6

How does this theory help change the understanding of criminal behaviour?

Answer 6

• It shifted the emphasis of criminal behaviour from a lack of individual morality to problems with society

Question 7

what is meant by ‘rationalisation’

Answer 7

Rationalsiation is the reasoning behind the action

Question 8

How do learning experiences vary?

Answer 8

• frequency and intensity factors
• depedns on who the person associates with
• depedns on length of association
• how personally meaningful the association is

Question 9

what are the 2 types of operant conditioning

Answer 9

1. Direct
2. Indirect

Question 10

what is direct operant conditiong

Answer 10

direct operant conditioning is when a person peformsnbehavior and is rewarded, which
increases the likelihood of them repeating that
behavior.
e.g verbal praise or privileges

Question 11

what is indirect operant conditioning

Answer 11

Indirect Operant Conditioning is when a person
observes someone else perform a behavior and
receives reinforcement
> Also known as observational learning

Question 12

social learning theory (SLT)

Answer 12

• bandura
• reinforcement = repeated behaviour
• punishment = not repeated or imitated beh.
• lacks vaguaer concepts of DA