3.5.4 Differential association theory (social psych)

Question 1

Who came up with Differential association theory

Answer 1

Sutherland (1939)

Question 2

How did Sutherland suggest offending behaviour can be explained

Answer 2

By social learning theory

Question 3

How does social learning theory argue how people become criminals

Answer 3

that people learn to be criminals through observation and imitation of significant others

Question 4

Give an example of social learning theory for criminality

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What is a potential criminal

Answer 5

one that has learned pro-criminal attitudes

Question 6

Which crimes are less likely to be learned

Answer 6

those of which are complicated are less likely to be committed than those that are viewed as more simple

Question 7

What does differential association explain

Answer 7

the difference between those who are conditioned into crime and those who are not.

Question 8

What is level of criminality determined by

Answer 8

whether role models have favourable attitudes towards crime.

Question 9

How could criminality be calculated according to Sutherland

Answer 9

mathematically calculated based on frequency, duration and intensity of social contact with criminals.