differential association theory

Question 1

What is differential association theory?

Answer 1

Individuals learn values of criminal behaviour through association and interaction

Question 2

How does differential association theory have a scientific basis?

Answer 2

Sutherland wanted to develop scientific principles that explained offending

Question 3

How is crime a learned behaviour?

Answer 3

Acquired like other behaviours
Occurs through interactions with others
Two factors - learned attitudes towards crime and the learning of specific criminal acts

Question 4

What are learned attitudes towards crime?

Answer 4

Socialised into a group - exposed to values
If pro criminal attitudes outweigh anti criminal attitudes they will offend
Should be able to mathematically predict how likely it is someone will offend if we know when they are exposed to these values

Question 5

What is the learning of specific criminal acts?

Answer 5

Learn particular techniques like breaking in
Explains how crime breeds in an environment
Explains reoffending - learn specific techniques in prison, experienced criminals
Observational or direct tuition

Question 6

Evaluation - explanatory power

Answer 6

Accounts for crime in all sectors of society

Corporate crime and working class

Question 7

Evaluation - shift of focus

Answer 7

Moved emphasis from atavistic or individual weakness and immorality
Dysfunctional social circumstances
Offers more realistic solution

Question 8

Evaluation - difficulty of testing

Answer 8

Hard to measure pro criminal attitude number

Can’t know at what point the urge to offend is realised

Question 9

Evaluation - alternative explanations

Answer 9

Family response is crucial - if they support crime this influences child
Supported by Mednick and other family studies - crime runs in families

Question 10

Evaluation - individual differences

Answer 10

Stereotyping working class
Not everyone goes on to offend
Ignores people who choose not to offend despite influences