Differential Association Theory^

Question 1

Differential Association Theory

Answer 1

Sutherland
develop a scientific principle to explain beh
criminals are made, not born (nurture)
Socialisation - learn mind set through interactions
criminals take on the view from the criminal group they associate with

Question 2

Offending as a Learned Beh

Answer 2

1) DAT - criminal beh learned from association with C
2) methamatically predict if someone becomes a C
3) offending occurs due to 2 factors
- learned attitudes towards offending
- learning of specific offending acts/ techniques

Question 3

Learning Attitudes

Answer 3

learning the attitudes other have towards crime (+ and -)
if mixed, the more dominant predicts if the person will offend

Question 4

Learning Acts/ Techniques

Answer 4

criminal methods can be learned from others
explain why some reoffend
- due to group they associate in prison

Question 5

Shift in Focus

Answer 5

DAT changed how we explain offending behprefered as gives practical solution to problem- compared to other solutions
: eugenics: plan to breed the perfect human
: prison

Question 6

VS Shift in Focus

Answer 6

has a risk of neg stereotyping people based on their background
Sutherland
- states it should be case-by-case
- but theory suggests those who are exposed to pro-crime view/ beh will reproduce them

Question 7

Wide Reach

Answer 7

theory accounts for offending in all sectors of society
Sutherland
- recognises some crimes (theft) can be associated with WC
- others are with the wealthier class with same deviant norms (white collar)
its not just the lower class who crime and the theory explains it

Question 8

Difficulty Testing

Answer 8

hard to test the predictability of DAT
Sutherland
- wanted to give scientific framework in predicting offending beh so it can be testable
- but its not as its not operationalised
- theory based on the assumption that C occur when pro-crime views > anti
Can’t measure as don’t know when the urge is realised and triggered
not scientific

Question 9

Nature & Nurture

Answer 9

Sutherland
- people learn offending beh from people around them/family
Farrington
- supports it
- C beh was found through diff generations within family

Question 10

VS Nature & Nurture

Answer 10

the fact that C runs in the family supports nature
P become C due to inheriting genes or because they have a genetic abnormality