Chapter 6 - Differential Association Theory

Question 1

who developed differential association theory?

Answer 1

Edwin Sutherland

Question 2

Who is commonly associated with cultural deviance theory?

Answer 2

Ronald Akers

Question 3

What are the nine propositions of differential association theory?

Answer 3

1.Crime Behaviour is learned
2. Crime is learned in interaction with other people
3. The principal part of learning criminal behaviour occurs within intimate groups
4. The learning includes techniques of committing the crime, and the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations and attitudes
5. The specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal code as favourable or unfavourable
6. A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favourable to violation of law over definitions unfavourable to violations of the law
7. Differential Associations may very in frequency, duration, priority and intensity
8. The process of learning criminal behaviour by association with criminal/anticriminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning
9. Criminal behaviour is not explained by those needs and values as non criminal behaviour is an expression of the same needs and values

Question 4

What is differential association theory?

Answer 4

Explains why some people become criminals and others do not

Question 5

What does Differential Association theory emphasize?

Answer 5

Deviance is learned

Question 6

What are Definitions (in reference to the fifth proposition)

Answer 6

statements, attitudes and beliefs

Question 7

What was the key element for Sutherland

Answer 7

Opportunity. One must have opportunity to engage in deviant behaviour

Question 8

How did Akers extend Sutherland’s theory

Answer 8

Extended it to include Reinforcement and imitation

Question 9

What are Akers 4 key processes?

Answer 9

Differential Reinforcement, imitation, definitions and Social context