Differential Association Theory

Question 1

Broad assumptions of the Differential Association Theory (Sunderland)

Answer 1

• Proposes that offending is learnt through socialisation.
• We learn our norms and values (even deviant ones) from our relationships with other people (friends, family etc.).
• Everyone’s associations are different (differential association).
• From these associations we develop either pro-criminal attitudes and behaviours or anti criminal behaviours and attitudes.
• Offending behaviours and techniques are passed on from one generation to another or from peers.

Question 2

Pro-criminal attitudes and Anti-criminal attitudes

Answer 2

• Sunderland argues if the number of pro-criminal attitudes a person is exposed to outweighs the number of anti-criminal attitudes, then they will go on to offend.
• We should be able to carry out a simple calculation to predict the likelihood of someone committing a crime.
• All we need to know is: the frequency, intensity and duration of their exposure to criminal & non-criminal norms and values.

Question 3

What are the 2 parts to this theory?

Answer 3

1. Learned attitudes towards crime.
2. Learning of specific criminal acts.

Question 4

1. Learned attitudes towards crime.

Answer 4

• Social transmission of values, motivations & rationalisations for committing a crime.

Question 5

2. Learning of specific criminal acts.

Answer 5

• This learning involves the development of the techniques required to commit the crime, such as the delicate touch of a pickpocket.

Question 6

Reinforcement

Answer 6

• Expectations/ attitudes of those around us (family, friends etc.) act to reinforce our behaviours (criminal or otherwise) through acceptance and approval.
• Reinforcement also affects offending behaviour- if rewards for offending are greater than the rewards for not offending.

Question 7

Research support: Farrington et al

Answer 7

• The Cambridge study in delinquent development was a longitudinal survey of the development of offending and antisocial behaviour in 411 boys.
• 41% were convicted for at least one offence between the age of 10-50.
• Avg. conviction career lasted from age 19-28 (+ included 5 convictions).
• Most important childhood risk factors (at age 8-10) for later offending were: measures of family criminality, daring or risk-taking, low school attainment, poverty and poor parenting.

Question 8

Analysis of Farrington’s research

Answer 8

• In Farrington’s study one of the key risk factors identified as leading to criminality was family criminality- if crime existed in the family, the individual was more likely to become criminal themselves.

Question 9

How does Farrington’s study support Sunderland’s DAT?

Answer 9

• This could support Sunderland’s differential association theory because he suggests we learn crime as we do any other behaviours through the process of socialisation and being exposed to criminal attitudes and behaviours which we may then go on to imitate.

Question 10

What happens if a child is brought up by criminal parents?

Answer 10

• If a child is brought up by criminal parents then they will be exposed to these attitudes and behaviours and see them as normal, adopting these values and going on to imitate the behaviour they have observed and learned is perfectly acceptable and appropriate.