Psychological Explanations - Differential Association Theory

Question 1

Who proposed the differential association theory (DAT)?

Answer 1

Sutherland

Question 2

What did Sutherland suggest?

Answer 2

offending behaviour could be explained entirely through social learning

Question 3

How does one have criminal behaviour (suggested by DAT)?

Answer 3

the behaviour is learned

Question 4

who is criminal behaviour learned through?

Answer 4

associations with others

an association w/ intimate personal groups

Question 5

DAT says that learning is ‘directional’

what does this mean?

Answer 5

the individual could be learning for or against crime

Question 6

What did Sutherland say is not a sufficient explanation for crime?

Answer 6

a general ‘need’

Question 7

Name the 9 key principles for this differential association theory

Answer 7

1. Criminal behaviour is learned
2. It is learned through associations with others
3. The association is with intimate personal groups
4. What is learned is techniques and attitudes
5. The learning is directional - could be for or against crime
6. If favourable attitudes outweigh unfavourable attitudes, that person will become an offender
7. The learning experiences vary in frequency & intensity for each individual
8. Criminal behaviour is learned through the same process as any other behaviour
9. General ‘need’ is not sufficient explanation for crime