differential association explanation of offending Flashcards
What is Sutherland’s differential association theory?
A theory explaining how individuals learn to become offenders through social interactions and experiences.
Introduced by Edwin Sutherland in 1939.
According to Sutherland, what increases the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior?
Experiencing repeated attitudes positively associated with crime rather than negatively associated with punishment.
This highlights the influence of social context on behavior.
What are the two main processes through which a person becomes an offender according to Sutherland?
Learned attitudes
Imitation of (criminal) acts
These processes emphasize the role of social learning.
learned attitudes
if the number of pro criminal attitudes a person acquires outweighs the number of anti criminal attitudes, then they will go on to offend
imitation of criminal acts
criminals taught or observe how to commit crime
role models may provide opportunities to model model deviant behaviours
results in vicarious reinforcement
What does the term ‘differential’ imply in differential association theory?
It indicates that criminal behavior can be learned through various avenues of interactions and experiences.
This includes influences from family, peers, or media.
Fill in the blank: An individual might experience a negative attitude towards the legal system through their _______.
parents
This signifies the role of family in shaping attitudes towards law.
True or False: Sutherland’s differential association theory limits the sources of criminal behavior to peer influence only.
False
The theory acknowledges multiple sources such as family and media.
What role does media play in Sutherland’s differential association theory?
It can provide techniques for criminality and influence attitudes towards crime.
Media exposure can shape perceptions and behaviors related to crime.
