Differential association theory Flashcards
What does differential association theory propose?
Individuals learn their attitudes, values, techniques and motives from others.
What is learned through differential association theory?
Learning attitudes towards crime
Potential criminal is somebody that has learned pro-criminal behaviour.
Children will learn which behaviour is acceptable in their community
Who is criminal behaviour learnt from?
Those around us
What reinforcement is used in learning crime?
Direct and indirect vicarious reinforcement
Who proposed differential association theory?
Sunderland
How many principles are involved in the differential association theory?
9
Explain principle 1 / 2 and 3
Criminal behaviour is learned
Criminal behaviour is learnt in interaction with others
Learning occurs in intimate groups
Explains principle 4 and 5
A person commits crim due to favouring law violations
Motivs are learned through favourable and unfavourable legal codes
Explain principle 7
Process of learning involves all mechanisms involved in learning
Explain principle 8 and 9
Criminal behaviour is an expression of needs and values but non-criminals have the same needs and values - therefore it does not explain why?
Learning includes techniques of committing the crime and the motives, drives and attitudes.
Who conducted research into differential association theory?
Matsueda
Alarid et al
Explain Matsueda’s research ino differential association theory
Reviewed differential association theory and argued more research is needed to predict offending behaviour.
Explain Alarid’s research into differential association theory
Tested 1153 convicted criminals. You could use it to predict somebody committing a crime.
