Forensics - differential association theory

Question 1

who proposed differential association theory

Answer 1

Sutherland (1939)

Question 2

differential association theory

Answer 2

all cultures vary in values and norms. individuals learn their values and behaviour from the community they are in. if crime is the norm in a group, behaviour is most likely to be learned.

Question 3

how did Sutherland say that we could predict likelihood of offending behaviour

Answer 3

mathematically. calculating frequency and intensity of exposure to criminal norms

Question 4

strengths of differential association theory

Answer 4

+ changed focus of explanations away from atavistic form and blaming deviant people to blaming deviant social circumstances, making it more realistic
+ accounts for offending in all sectors of society, burglary in working class areas and ‘white collar crimes’ e.g. fraud are more common in middle class that share deviant social values
+ practical applications; should offenders be in prison with other offenders?

Question 5

limitations of differential association theory

Answer 5

• does not have scientific credibility as difficult to operationalise and find how long someone has been exposed to pro-crime values
• stereotyping theory and deterministic
• doesn’t explain why young males are more likely to commit crime than females. criminality = far more complex
• correlational, difficult to disentangle from biological predispositions