3.5.4 Differential association theory (social psych) Flashcards
Who came up with Differential association theory
Sutherland (1939)
How did Sutherland suggest offending behaviour can be explained
By social learning theory
How does social learning theory argue how people become criminals
that people learn to be criminals through observation and imitation of significant others
Give an example of social learning theory for criminality
A child may see a parent or their peer group being rewarded for criminal behaviour then (through vicarious reinforcement) learn that criminal behaviour is favourable.
What is a potential criminal
one that has learned pro-criminal attitudes
Which crimes are less likely to be learned
those of which are complicated are less likely to be committed than those that are viewed as more simple
What does differential association explain
the difference between those who are conditioned into crime and those who are not.
What is level of criminality determined by
whether role models have favourable attitudes towards crime.
How could criminality be calculated according to Sutherland
mathematically calculated based on frequency, duration and intensity of social contact with criminals.