Differential Association Theory

Question 1

What does DAT suggest?

Answer 1

Proposes that through interaction with others individuals learn values, attitudes and techniques for offending.

Question 2

Describe Sunderland’s ideas

Answer 2

Scientific principles, conditions said to be causing crime present when crime present. Absent when crime absent. Discriminated between offenders and non offenders.

Question 3

Describe how offender behaviour is leant

Answer 3

Offending behaviour learnt through interactions with significant others whom a child values eg. Parents. Therefore mathematically possible to predict likelihood of someone committing a crime.

Question 4

Explain how someone can be socialised into a pro crime group and become a criminal.

Answer 4

When socialised into a group who promote pro crime attitudes they are more likely to learn criminal techniques and become an offender. Explain how offenders in prison go on to re offend (tuition in prison)

Question 5

Describe one strength of DAT (shift of focus) (AO3)

Answer 5

Moved offending attitudes away from biological (Lombrosso)
Draws attention to fact deviant social circumstances may be to blame. (Realistic solution)

Question 6

Describe the counterpoint of shift of focus (AO3)

Answer 6

Risk of stereotyping from impovished, crime riddled backgrounds (‘unavoidably offenders’)
Exposure to pro crime values sufficient to produce offending

Ignores how people may choose to not commit crimes

Question 7

Describe how DAT has a wide reach (AO3)

Answer 7

Accounts for all offending in all sectors of society. Recognises some offenders are clustered within certain inner city WC communities. Some in affluent groups.

However, Sunderland only investigated white collar crime in MC