Differential association theory

Question 1

What are the learning attitudes and techniques?

Answer 1

Exposed to values and attitudes towards the law, they might learn techniques, e.g., breaking a law.

This explains why reoffenses occur.

Question 2

2 strengths?

Answer 2

At the time it was published, it changed the face of reoffending behaviours, and he pushed the more atavistic theory, offering a more realistic solution/punishment.

Theory can account for offences within all sectors of society. Sutherland was more interested in white-collar crimes.

Question 3

One limitation?

Answer 3

Difficult to test the predictions of differential association; they can’t be operationalised, so it doesn’t have scientific credibility.

Question 4

What did Blackburn suggest?

Answer 4

If the superego is deficient, the id has been given free reign.

Question 5

What is the weak superego?

Answer 5

Can’t internalise and identify the ID is given free reign.

Question 6

What is the deviant superego?

Answer 6

If a child internalises the deviant values, it makes immoral behaviour more likely.

Question 7

What is the over-harsh superego?

Answer 7

Crippled by guilt and anxiety over harsh parents that satisfy their need for punishment, they are more likely to commit a crime.

Question 8

Bowlby:

Answer 8

Maternal deprivation theory using the 44 Theives study makes the over-harsh superego more likely/acts as evidence for it.

Question 9

2 strengths?

Answer 9

Research support for link with offending and superego, Goreta analysed 10 offenders and found that psychic conflicts and an over-harsh superego are a basis for offending.

Some of the first links between childhood and adulthood offended Drew attention to the emotional basis rather than scientific.

Question 10

One limitation?

Answer 10

Freudian theory is gender bias. ‘Girls develop a weaker superego than boys. there is alpha bias at the heart of freuds theory.