Differential Association Theory

• Diff. Association AO3 - Supporting evidence

  • Osborne and West - father with a criminal conviction 40% of sons had committed a crime by the age of 18, compared to 13% with non criminal fathers
  • Aksers et al -most important influences on drink and drug behaviour was from peers
  • Studies are consistent with the predictions of differential association theory that offending behaviour is learned through associations and interactions with others who have less favourable attitudes towards crime
• Diff. Association AO3 - Correlational research

  • Data from supportive evidence is correlational
  • May be that offenders seek out other offenders rather than being influenced by them
  • Osborne and West’s results could just as easily be explained by genetics as differential association
  • This means that from the research internal validity of differential association theory is questioned because cause and effect cannot be determined
• Diff. Association AO3 - Real world app.

  • Differential association theory draws attention to the fact that dysfunctional social circumstances and environments may be more to blame for criminality than dysfunctional people, as was advocated by atavistic form
  • The theory marked an important shift from ‘blaming’ individual factors to pointing to social factors
  • This approach is more desirable because it offers a more realistic solution to the problem of crime (as learning environments can be changes) instead of eugenics
• Who proposed the Differential Association Theory?

  Sutherland
• According to Differential Association Theory, how is offending behavior learned?

  Through the same processes as other behaviors
• What are the two main sources of criminal behaviors according to Differential Association Theory?

  Family and peer group
• What must a child learn to support offending behavior according to Differential Association Theory?

  Values and attitudes that support offending
• Where are the values and attitudes that support offending learned according to Differential Association Theory?

  Within the family and peer group
• What determines whether a child will regard criminal behavior as acceptable according to Sutherland?

  If they acquire more pro-crime than anti-crime attitudes
• What do individuals learn from those around them according to Differential Association Theory?

  Specific acts/methods for committing crimes
• Why is re-offending likely to occur in prison according to Differential Association Theory?

  Because crime techniques are learned from inmates
• What influences the types of crime a person commits according to Differential Association Theory?

  The precise nature of the deviant attitudes they have learned
• If a person regards it as unacceptable to rob someone but acceptable to falsify tax returns, what does this illustrate according to Differential Association Theory?

  The influence of learned deviant attitudes
• What are the methods through which learning may occur in prison according to Differential Association Theory?

  Observational learning, imitation, or direct tuition
• What are the key components of Differential Association Theory?

  • Offending is learned behavior
  • Learned through family and peer group
  • Involves learning values and attitudes that support offending
  • Involves learning specific techniques for committing crimes
  • Re-offending likely in prison due to learning from inmates
• How does Differential Association Theory explain the influence of family and peer groups on criminal behavior?

  • Family and peer groups demonstrate pro-crime and anti-crime attitudes
  • Child acquires more pro-crime than anti-crime attitudes
  • Child regards criminal behavior as acceptable
  • Child learns specific techniques for committing crimes
• How might Differential Association Theory explain the behavior of a person who commits white-collar crimes but not violent crimes?

  • Learned specific deviant attitudes supporting white-collar crimes
  • Learned techniques for committing white-collar crimes
  • Did not acquire attitudes supporting violent crimes
• What are the implications of Differential Association Theory for the criminal justice system?

  • Focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment
  • Address the influence of family and peer groups
  • Prevent re-offending by reducing exposure to criminal peers in prison