Differential association

Question 1

What does differential association theory argue?

Answer 1

Criminal behaviour is learnt from our social group, nurture

Question 2

What are sutherlands 9 key principles?

Answer 2

Criminal behaviour is learnt, learnt through interactions and communication with others,, learning happens within intimate personal groups, learning include techniques, motives, rationalisations and attitudes, motives and drives are due to interpretations of the legal code in ones geographical area as unfavourable or unfavourable, Differential associations can vary in frequency intensity, priority and duration, learning criminal behaviour relies on mechanisms, criminal behaviour is an expression of our generalised needs and values

Question 3

What theory is it?

Answer 3

Social learning theory

Question 4

What does Bandura state someone must do?

Answer 4

Attention, retention, reproduction and have motivation

Question 5

How does operant conditioning link to differential association?

Answer 5

Depends on observed consequences of actions

Question 6

What is supporting evidence for differential association?

Answer 6

Osborn and West- father with criminal conviction, 40% of sons had a criminal conviction by 18, 13% non criminal fathers, criminality is learnt by fathers as they are an intimate social relationship

Question 7

What are weaknesses of differential association?

Answer 7

-Does not consider nature (biological), limited in its explanation
-validity issues- learn via socialisation, not all who display criminal behaviour are around people to learn it from
-outdated-1939, changes in the world e.g through technology, moved online, not learning through others, no longer appropriate

Question 8

What is a strength of differential association?

Answer 8

It explains the majority of more common criminal behaviours compared to biological, minor offences such as petty theft or vandalism