Diff Association/Social Learning Theory... Flashcards
What are the major tenets of Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory?
the structure of social life could make learning of crime easier; focus on why individuals differ in the probability of crime
How is criminal behavior learned?
through interaction w others (primarily with intimate groups)
According to Sutherland’s theory, when an individual learns crime, what specifically is learned?
definitions of legal codes as favorable or unfavorable
Which of Edwin Sutherland’s theory statements is known as the “principle of differential association”?
excess of defintions favorable to violation of law to definitions unfavorable to the violation of law
Which part of Sutherland’s theory is referred to as the “modalities of association”. How do each of these modalities relate to the probability of criminal offending?
frequency, duration, priority, and intensity
How does Glaser’s “differential identification” concept extend Sutherland’s theory of differential association?
that we can learn from distant source, esp w media, as long as we identify w them
How does the work of Sykes and Matza help to flesh out the differential association theory?
they help flesh out the rationalizations w neutralization techniques
According to Sykes and Matza, why do criminals have a need to rationalize or justify their actions?
because some people live in both worlds of conformity and non-conformity and they need to manage it some how
Describe each of the neutralization techniques identified by Sykes and Matza. Give some examples of each one.
denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemning the condemners, appeal to higher loyalties (done to aid others or larger cause)
How does Akers’ Social Learning Theory expand on Sutherland’s theory of differential association?
specified the learning mechanisms of crime – diff association, definitions, imitation
What’s differential reinforcement? What are each of the four types of differential reinforcement? Give an example of each.
balance of anticipated or actual rewards & punishments that follow behavior (positive and neg. reinforcement & positive and neg. punishment)
What is primary and secondary deviance?
p = initial “acting out” behavior, s = escalation of deviant behavior due to stigmatization
How does labeling affect social identity?
Labeling affects life opportunities
According to labeling theory, how are chronic offenders created?
master status – overbearing social status that’s difficult to escape; due to negative labeling process
If labeling theory is correct, what must change in society for us to reduce crime rates?
To avoid the stigmatization of labeling
