Psychologival Explanations: Differential Association Theory Flashcards
What is the differential association theory
Proposes individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques and motives for offending behaviour through association and interaction with different people
What did Sutherland do
Developed a set of scientific principles that explain all types of offending
His theory was designed to discriminate between individuals who become offenders and this who do not
Sutherland claimed what
- all criminal behaviour is learned ny it being modelled by other people
- small groups are more likley to be influential than large groups
- repeated exposure to criminal behaviour increases lilehood that an individual will learn criminal behaviour
Anyone can become a criminal regardless of demography
Socialisation in prison
Sutherland theory accounts for why so many convicts released from prison go on to reoffend
This is because inside prison inmates will learn specific techniques offending from others before they release
Strength of differential association theory
Can lead to positive implication for reducing crime
- if criminal behaviour is learned through exposure then it is possible to reduced or prevent people learning crime by increasing amout of anti crime attitudes people are exposed to
What is One limitation of differential association approach
It is hard to scientifically measure the amount of anti or pro crime attitudes that someone has been exposed to
The data would be recorded by self repot methods - social desirability, poor recall so low internal validity
A strength of differential association theory - wide reach
The theory can account for offending within all sectors of society
Sutherland recognise that some type of offence may be clustered within certain inner city it is also the case that some offences are clustered amongst more affluent groups in society
This shows its not just lower classes who commit offences and that the principles of differential association can be used o explain all offence
