psychological explanations: differential association theory

Question 1

edwin sutherland

Answer 1

-theory proposing through interactions w/others, indicuals learn values, attitudes, techniques + motives for criminal behaviour
-very influential in deliquency research
-explains defining factors playing part in causation of crime+combines them in one theory

Question 2

interactions w/ others

Answer 2

-‘got in w the wrong crowd’
-r friends can profoundly affect criminality especailly during adolscene
-differntail associations (no. of contacts w/ criminals over non criminals) may vary in frequency, duration, priority + intensity
-learnt via behaviourism methods: conditong+ slt

Question 3

AO3 strengths

strengths

Answer 3

-shift from biology/eugenics to criminality
-accounts for white collar crime
-can explain crime for all race, gender+social groups

Question 4

AO3 research

Farrington et al. (2006)

Answer 4

-longtitudual study: 411 male adolescents on the development of offending and antisocial behaviour.
-ived in a disadvantaged working-class neighbourhood in s London
-official conviction records and self-reported offences and interviewed and tested participants nine times throughout the study.
-41% of participants had at least one conviction
-mainly ages 17-20
-main reasons age 8-10: Crime in the family,
Impulsivity and hyperactivity, low iq,poverty
-supprots as these factors can be attributed to the theory (poor parenting)HOWEVER, genetics?
-found family is a large influnece on offending. crime can be seen as inter-generational

Question 5

AO3 weaknesses

doesnt account for indivual differences.

Answer 5

• some ppl much more susceptible to influnce others. so it negelcts to consider the role of temperment + personality

Question 6

ao3 weakness

impossible to test

Answer 6

-how do you count up someones associations+ influences accuratily?

Question 7

ao3 weakness

Newburn (2002)

Answer 7

-people under the age of 21 commit 40% of crimes + many offenders stop committing crimes when they get older.
-theory cannot explain this because should continue to be criminals if they still have the same group of peers or the same relationships.