Forensics - Psychological: Differential Association theory

Question 1

Differential association theory (DAT)

Answer 1

Social approach - behaviour is learned through associations with people personal to us & surrounding cultures (learn techniques & associations)

Question 2

Criminality & DAT

Answer 2

• Learning either favourable crime attitudes or unfavourable crime attitudes
• Favourable > unfavourable -> offending behaviour
• Learn crime techniques to commit more & are rewarded by community for it to continue the offending

Question 3

Key study: Farrington et al

Answer 3

Longitudinal study of 411 males living in deprived areas of London

Findings
- 41% convicted of at least 1 offence between ages 10-50
- Average criminal career from 19-28, 5 convictions
- Childhood risk factors: family criminality, poverty, low school attainment

Question 4

Strengths of DAT

Answer 4

+ Supporting evidence (Farrington -> explains intergenerational offending)
+ Generalisable (socialisation aspect -> explains all types of crime rather than just lower class)
+ Face validity (Alarid et al - 1100 new convicts -> DAT was a good general theory/explanation particularly for the men)

Question 5

Limitations of DAT

Answer 5

• Social sensitivity (theory suggests pro-crime exposure causes offending to anyone exposed -> ignores the choice to not offend and leads to stereotyping, self-fulfilling prophecies & labelling)
• Lack credibility (concepts are untestable & not operationalisable - cannot truly know the point of which the urge to offend is realised)