psychological explanations: differential association theory

Question 1

Differential association theory

Answer 1

• Sunderland
• individuals learn the values, technique etc. for offending through association and interaction with different people

Question 2

Scientific basis

Answer 2

• developed a set of principles that could explain all types of offending
• ‘the conditions which are said to cause crime should be present when crime is present, and they should be absent when crime is absent’

Question 3

Learning attitudes

Answer 3

• person is socialised into a group they’re exposed to values towards law
• pro-crime or anti-crime
• if pro-crime > anti-crime individual will offend

Question 4

Learning techniques

Answer 4

• in addition to pro-crime attitudes, individual learns technique e.g. how to disable a car radio if you plan to steal it

Question 5

Prison socialisation

Answer 5

• exposed to more skilled offenders learn techniques
• gain social connections
• imitation or direct tuition