Differential Association Theory Flashcards
Briefly outline differential association theory
-Sutherland developed set of scientific principles that could explain all types of offending
-individuals learn the values, attitudes and techniques and motives for offending behaviour via interaction with others- these others are dif from one person to the next
-ignores effects of class/ethnic background, what matters is who you associate with
Two factors that offending arises from
Learned attitudes towards crime and learning of specific criminal acts
What are learned attitudes to crime and how does this lead to crime
-when socialised into a group you will be exposed to values and attitudes towards the law, some pro/anti crime
-argues if the number of pro criminal attitudes the person comes to acquire outweighs number of anti criminal attitudes they will go on to offend
-should be possible to mathematically predict how likely it is an individual will commit an offence
Equation for predicting whether someone will commit criminal act
Frequency and intensity and duration of exposure to deviant/non deviant norms and values = likelihood of offending
What is the learning of specific criminal acts
Offender may also learn techniques for committing offence eg how to break into someone’s house through locked window
Why can going to prison increase likelihood of reoffending
-whilst inside prison, inmates will learn specific techniques of offending from other more experienced criminals that they may be eager to put into practice upon their release
-learning may occur via observational learning and imitation (SLT) or direct tuition from criminal peers
Expand on strength that Sutherland successful is moving emphasis from early bio accounts of crime
-eg Lombroso’s atavistic theory and those that explained offending as being product of individual weakness/immorality
-draws attention to fact that dysfunctional social circumstances and environs may be more to blame=not bio reductionist
-focuses on impact the behaviour of others has= provides realistic solution to preventing crime
Expand on limitation that it is difficult to test theory
-hard to measure the number of pro-criminal attitudes a person has or been exposed to
-difficult to know at what point urge to offend is realised and criminal career triggered
-lacks falsifiability and scientific credibility
Expand on limitation that there is contradictory research
-longitudinal study of boys found 41% convicted of at least one crime and most important risk factor for later offending were measures of family criminality,low attainment, poverty
-evidence for crime running in families supports a biological explanation rather than environmental one, individuals may have inherited criminal gene and this may account for findings
-weakens validity of explanation
Expand on limitation that there is a danger of stereotyping and does not consider free will
-of individuals from impoverished crime ridden backgrounds as unavoidably criminal
-theory suggests exposure to pro criminal values is sufficient to produce offending in those who are exposed= does not consider free will so use environmentally deterministic
-socially sensitive- reinforcement of stereotypes and promoting discrimination of specific groups
