Chapter 5: Differential Association and Social Learning Theories Flashcards
What is the main idea of Differential Association Theory?
Deviance is learned through interactions with others, particularly in intimate personal groups.
Who developed Differential Association Theory?
Edwin Sutherland in 1939.
Give an example of Differential Association in action.
A teen joins a gang and learns:
Techniques: How to steal.
Justifications: “Stealing from the rich is okay.”
Reinforcement: Peers praise successful thefts.
What are Sutherland’s Nine Propositions?
- Crime is learned, not inherited.
- Learning occurs through interaction.
- Close personal groups are the primary source of learning.
- Learning includes techniques & rationalizations.
- People develop favorable or unfavorable definitions of laws.
- More favorable views of deviance → more likely to commit crime.
- The learning process depends on frequency, duration, priority, and intensity.
- Learning deviance is like learning anything else.
- Crime is not just caused by needs or values.
What is Social Learning Theory?
Ronald Akers extended Sutherland’s theory by adding reinforcement, imitation, and definitions to explain deviance.
What are Akers’ Four Key Concepts?
Differential Association: Interactions shape deviance.
Definitions: Justifications for deviance (e.g., “Cheating is normal”).
Differential Reinforcement:
Rewards & punishments influence behaviour.
Imitation: Copying role models (e.g., celebrities, peers).
Example of Social Learning Theory?
A student starts smoking:
Differential Association: Friends smoke.
Definitions: “Smoking relieves stress.”
Reinforcement: They feel accepted.
Imitation: They copy celebrities who smoke.
What is Social Structure and Learning?
Social factors affect who learns deviant behaviour.
4 Key Factors:
Differential social organization: Crime rates by community.
Differential location in the social structure: Social class, race, gender.
Structural variables: Culture, social disorganization.
Differential group locations: Family, school, workplace.
How does Differential Association Theory explain White-Collar Crime?
Executives learn fraud techniques from coworkers, just like gang members learn crime.
What are the Techniques of Neutralization (Sykes & Matza, 1957)?
Ways people justify deviance to avoid guilt:
Denial of Responsibility: “It wasn’t my fault.”
Denial of Injury: “No one got hurt.”
Denial of the Victim: “They deserved it.”
Condemning the Condemners: “The police are corrupt.”
Appeal to Higher Loyalties: “I did it for my friends.”
What are criticisms of Social Learning and Differential Association Theories?
Causal Order Problem – Do deviant peers influence behaviour, or do deviant people seek out deviant peers?
Fails to Explain Non-Learned Crimes – What about serial killers?
Neglects Individual Differences – Not everyone exposed to deviance becomes deviant.
