3.5.4 differential association theory evaluation (social psych) Flashcards
What did Osborne and west find about children with and without criminal fathers
40% of the sons had also committed a crime by the age of 18, compared to 13% of sons with non-criminal fathers
What may have caused Osborne and West’s findings
The children may have perceived this as a desirable behaviour and hence carried out a crime.
How can differences in crime stats be explained
through differential association
Give an example of how crime stats can be explained through differential association
in 2014 there were 400,000 burglaries, but only 500 murders in the UK. Thus, criminal perceptions about which crimes are more/less acceptable could be learned through associated punishments
Who introduced ‘white collar crime’
Sutherland
What does white collar crime explain
Breakages of the law by people otherwise seen as respectable and high in social status (middle classes).
What kind of crimes are white collar crimes
nonviolent crimes by business and government professionals such as fraud, bribery, copyright infringements and forgery. They can be explained by differential association.
What is an issue with Differential Association Theory
It is not testable
Why is Differential Association Theory not testable
not clear what ratio of favourable to unfavourable influences would tip the balance
What can’t differential association explain
why most offences are committed by younger people
Who’s theory can explain why most offences are committed by younger people
Eysencks criminal personality theory
