Crime - Social Psychological Explanation - Differential Association Theory Flashcards
What does the differential association explain about the cause of criminal behaviour?
Crime is a learnt behaviour through associating with different people
How are pro-criminal attitudes developed?
Through social situations in which a person socialises with a particular group with values and beliefs towards the law.
When does crime occur in relation to criminal attitudes?
If the pro-criminal attitude outweighs the anti-criminal attitude, the person will continue to offend.
What is likely to make someone a role model?
People who we identify with in some way or are desirable in some way.
How do criminal attitudes breed amongst social communities?
Through peer groups, families, neighbourhoods as a result of shared community attitudes e.g. No trespassing however everyone does it and no one stops it.
What is direct operant conditioning?
Reinforcement or punishment for criminal activity (consequence)
What is indirect operant conditioning?
Vicarious reinforcement when observing the consequences of role models actions
How does positive reinforcement increase criminal behaviour?
When someone receives a reward from a criminal behaviour they are more likely to repeat it e.g. Stealing a TV, rewarded with a new item.
How does negative reinforcement increase criminal behaviour?
When someone commits crime to avoid an unpleasant experience e.g. Getting ridiculed by gang and commits crime to avoid being ridiculed.
What is a strength of differential association theory in relation to practical applications?
The principles of this explanation can allow preventatives and causes for criminal behaviour so childhood, peers etc. can be investigated as a form of preventing further crime.
What is a weakness of differential association theory in relation to issues with the research?
This explanation cannot establish a cause and effect relationship between crime and social groups, as it could be that criminal seek out other criminals therefore is not a complete explanation.
What is a weakness of differential association theory in relation to account for all crimes?
This explanation does not explain the cause of smaller crimes such as fraud, which make up a large majority of crime rates, rather than murder etc. therefore explanation is not always applicable.
