Sutherland differtial association

Question 1

strength: Farrington

Answer 1

Farrington (1995) investigated anti-social behaviour in 411 men in London and found that approximately 45% went on to commit crime. Farrington identified that crime in the family was one of the several common traits. Therefore, this study suggests that exposure to criminal attitudes and behaviour does influence people to commit crime themselves.

Question 2

strength: Matthews

Answer 2

Matthews found that juvenile delinquents are more likely to have friends who commit antisocial acts, suggesting that they learn their behaviour from peer groups.

Question 3

weakness: Farrington

Answer 3

Farrington (1995) also suggested that poverty and low educational achievement were key factors in the study and played a part in criminality.

Question 4

weakness: criminal influences

Answer 4

Not everyone who is exposed to ‘criminal influences’ becomes criminal. They might learn from family and peers how to commit crime, but never put this into practice.