Diffeential Association Theory

Question 1

What is differential association theory

Answer 1

This explanation proposes that offending depends on the norms and values of a persons social group, offending is more likely occur where the social group values deviant behaviour.

Question 2

Offending and differential association theory

Answer 2

When a person socialises into a social group they will be exposed to the groups norms and values. If the number of pro crime attitudes a person encounters is greater then the number of anti crime attitudes then they will become an offender.

The learning process is the same no matter what you are learning, learning can occur through imitation, vicarious reinforcement, direct reinforcement (operant conditioning) and direct tuition from peers,

Question 3

Predicting crime

Answer 3

The differential association theory suggest it should be possible to mathematically predict how likely it is that someone will commit crime. If we have knowledge of the frequency, intensity and duration a person has been exposed to criminal and non criminal norms and values

Question 4

Strengths of differential evaluation theory

Answer 4

• ) It is able to account for crime within all sectors of society, while Sutherland recognised certainty types of crime will be in certain areas and groups such as burglaries will be in the city centre whole fraud and embezzlement is more likely to occur with more affluent groups.
• ) it helped move away from early biological explanations of crime such as Lombroso’s and it drew attention to social circumstances and environment being important to crime
• ) It offers a more desirable and realistic solution to other theories as you can simply learn non criminal norms and values to stop reoffending.

Question 5

Weakness of differential association theory

Answer 5

• ) not everyone who gets exposed to criminal influences goes on to commit crimes. People could stereotype individuals for, crime irredentist backgrounds as unavoidably criminal, it ignores the the fact people may choose not to offend so it ignores their free will.
• ) offenders may seek out people with criminal values rather then being passively influenced by them.