[Differential Association Theory] Psychological Explanations Of Offending Behaviour

Question 1

What is differential association theory?

Answer 1

A theory that states that offending is learned when one associates with people who indulge in offending behaviour.

Question 2

What did Sutherland (1939) propose about differential association theory?

Answer 2

Sutherland proposed that if an individual is socialised into a group with more pro-crime values compared to anti-crime values, they will go on to offend.

Question 3

Is differential association theory exclusive to the deprived & uneducated?

Answer 3

No.

Question 4

What factors makes one likely to fall into the trap of differentiation association theory?

Answer 4

High Frequency + High Intensity + High Duration (High FID) = Likely To Offend.

Question 5

Everyone’s associations are ________, as everyone has different _________ & ________.

Answer 5

Different, norms, values.

Question 6

Sutherland also theorised that the benefits of offending outweigh the benefits of not offending. What are benefits of offending?

Answer 6

-Respect.
-Approval.

Question 7

Can offending be passed down from one generation to the next (according to Sutherland)?

Answer 7

Yes.

Question 8

What technique could one learn while offending?

Answer 8

Rationalisation (e.g. stealing from an overpriced high street shop as they make a profit).

Question 9

What is an example of differential association theory?

Answer 9

The Italian-American mafia: people become mafia members by growing up within its culture.

Question 10

Why may people reoffend?

Answer 10

Prisons are deemed as schools of crime rather than a place of rehabilitation.

Question 11

What are the two parts of differential association theory?

Answer 11

-Learned attitudes towards crime.
-Learning of specific crimes.

Question 12

How did Farrington (2006) study differential association theory?

Answer 12

Cambridge longitudinal study: used 411 boys from South London and found that key risk factors to them turning to crime included:
-having a convicted parent.
-coming from a large family living in poverty.
-having low educational attainment.

Question 13

Evaluation points for differential association theory:

Answer 13

-Over-simplistic: assumes that criminality will follow if an individual is merely exposed to more criminal than non-criminal attitudes (people are more complex than this idea suggests).
-Can answer for more types of crimes for all races, gender and social groups.
-Impossible to test - how do you count up someone’s associations and influences accurately?