Differential association theory

• What does the differential association theory assume?

  The differential association theory assumes that individuals learn criminality and offending behaviour via their contact and experience with others.
• Who developed the theory?

  Sutherland developed the theory as a way of understanding how crime is transmitted and generated between people.
• What are some factors of the theory?

  • criminal behaviour is learnt not inherited
  • We take the biggest influence from people we are closest to such as family members.
  • Criminality is learnt through observation, repetition and internalisation.
• What are some factors of the theory?

  • Criminality is learnt through the adoption of the idea that the legal system is unfavourable or unfair.
  • Criminal behaviour is learnt through conditioning and reinforcement.
  • When criminality is expressed as a social norm.
  • By learning specific criminal acts such as lock picking.
• Evaluation: Farrington et al research

  • A longitudinal study into south london boys and found factors such as convicted parents, low school attendance and poverty increased chances of criminality.
  • This research propels the notion that criminality is often learnt from observing those around you and from than installed view that the legal system is unfair.
• Evaluation: Social Sensitivity

  • The DAT highlights poor parenting as a cause of criminality which might lead to a negative sterotype around parents who simply don't have the funds to be with their children constantly.
  • They theory also shows poverty as being a factor leading to criminality, thus preventing a danger in assuming those impoverished will be criminals.
• Evaluation: temporal validity.

  • Sutherland's theory is still relevant today as it explains how and why some people, particularly the youth seek membership in gangs because they feel a sense of belonging and community,
  • It also provides an explanation for how criminal techniques keep advancing due to the passing down of skills between criminals either within or outside prison.