differential association theory

Question 1

What does Sutherland argue about criminality?
How is this done? Define

Answer 1

Criminal behaviour is a learnt response
Through socialisation=Learning the norms and values, from the people around us e.g. friends, family

Question 2

What is differential association?

Answer 2

Everyone is socialised differently, due to us all having a different set of people around us

Question 3

What does Sutherland argue about pro-criminal attitudes?

Answer 3

Criminals are socialised, but learn deviant norms and values because they associate with pro-criminal attitudes
More of this attitude>more likely to commit crime

Question 4

What does Sutherland argue about reinforcement? (2)

Answer 4

Behaviours are reinforced by the expectations of the people we associate with, providing approval or dissaproval
Criminals will approve of other criminals behaviour
Reinforcement can influence the likelihood of offending e.g. revieiving high status
Specific offending techniques are passed down generations/peer groups e.g. how to pick lock

Question 5

One strength of the differential association theory is explains a wide range of crimes
PET

Answer 5

E: E.g. white collar crimes, different peer groups have different opinions on what types of crime are acceptable.
Bank robbery is bad but business fraud/corruption is okay
T: Useful

Question 6

One strength of the differential association theory is it has practical applications
PET

Answer 6

E: First time offenders are not put in the same prison as experienced criminals who may reinforce pro-criminal attitudes and pass on techniques
T: Useful

Question 7

One limitation of the differential association theory is that it cannot explain why younger males are more likely to commit crime
PET

Answer 7

E: According to this theory, older males would have had more exposure to pro-criminal attitudes
Also doesn’t explain why females commit less crime, as they’re socialised within criminal families
T: Limited explanatory power

Question 8

One strength of the differential association theory is that it rejected racist views of people being born criminal
PET

Answer 8

E: People used eugenic genetic arguments of criminality to perform forced sterilisation on criminals so they couldn’t pass on criminal genes
T: Change