Sutherland 1934 & Akers 1979 Upbringing - principles of criminology

Question 1

Sutherlands 9 principles of criminology

Answer 1

1. criminal behaviour is learnt
2. learning happens through interaction with and observing others
3. learning occurs with primary groups (family etc.)
4. learning criminal behaviour involves learning techniques, motives and justifications
5. we learn to define laws as favourable or unfavourable to us
6. a person becomes a criminal when they have an excess of pro-crime definitions
7. differential associations vary in duration, importance etc.
8. criminal behaviour is learnt the same way as normal behaviour
9. criminal behaviour is based on the same general needs as non-criminal behaviour.

Question 2

Differential association theory

Answer 2

you learn criminal thinking from keeping company (associating) with other criminals (people who are different)

like catching a cold

Question 3

Akers Aim

Answer 3

To test social learning theory of deviant behaviour with survey data on adolescent drinking and drug behaviour

Question 4

Akers method

Answer 4

Self report, cross sectional design, snapshot

Question 5

Akers Participants

Answer 5

Aprox 2500 male and female adolescents aged 23-18 in 3 mid western states

Question 6

Akers Procedure

Answer 6

Questionnaires were widely used to gather info on alcohol and drug abuse/use, a subsample had follow up interviews.

use of drugs and alcohol measured using a 6 point scale for frequency of use

abuse measures by asking if participants had experienced one or more “accidents” on those occasions

Question 7

Akers results

Answer 7

differential association theory accounted for 55% of alcohol abuse and 68% of drug abuse

Question 8

Akers conclusion

Answer 8

Differential peer association is the most important variable in determining criminal behaviour.