ps ex - differential association theory Flashcards
what is differential association theory?
We learn pro-offending or anti-offending values/attitudes through different people we associate with.
who proposed this theory and when?
Sunderland 1939
what was different about his theory?
it aimed to have a sicentific basis
how did it have a scietific basis?
Sutherland wanted to identify the conditions that cause crime when they are present but not when they are absent.
how does it describe offending as a learned behaviour?
Offenders learn attitudes towards offending and also specific offending acts or techniques.
what are the two main factors?
learning attitudes, learning techniques
what does learning attitudes mean?
We will go on to offend if we acquire more pro-crime attitudes than anti-crime attitudes of groups we are socialised into.
what does learning techniques mean?
How to commit offences, e.g. breaking into a house.
how does is this theory seen in socialisation in prison?
Reoffending is high because prisoners associate with each other and learn techniques through imitation and direct tuition.
ao3 shift of focus? +cp
strength
changed focus of explanations of offending when published, emphasis shifted away from biological explanations (Lombroso), attention to environment.
cp- sunderland stereotypes impoverished people as criminals due to environment, ignores mental processes
ao3 wide reach?
strength
accounts for offending withn all sections of society, white collar crimes coined by him, middle class crimes included
ao3 difficult to test?
limitation? difficult to test predictions. untestable concepts as cannot be operationalised, cant measure no. pro crime attitudes exposed to, unreplicable.
