Outline two social psychological explanations

• Point: DA theory

  One social psychological explanation of criminal behaviour is differential association theory, proposed by Edwin Sutherland (1939).
• Evidence: DA theory

  This theory suggests that individuals learn criminal behaviours through interaction with others, particularly within close personal groups like family and peers. if a person is frequently exposed to pro-criminal attitudes, they are more likely to develop such attitudes themselves. Sutherland believed that frequency, duration, and intensity of these associations determine the likelihood of criminal behaviour
• Explain: DA theory

  For example, a child raised in a household where theft is justified as a means of survival may adopt this belief and engage in similar behaviour. This theory is supported by research showing that high-crime neighbourhoods tend to foster environments where criminal behaviour is normalised, reinforcing the idea that criminality is learned rather than inherited.
• Link: DA theory

  By explaining crime as a result of socialisation, this theory highlights how environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping criminal behaviour
• Point: gender socialisation

  Another explanation is gender socialisation, which suggests that differences in crime rates between men and women result from the way they are socialised.
• Evidence: gender socialisation

  Sutherland (1949) argued that boys are encouraged to take risks and be independent, whereas girls are more closely supervised and taught to be conforming. This means boys are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviours because they both have the inclination and the opportunity.
• Explain: gender socialisation

  Albert Cohen (1955) further suggested that boys may struggle to identify with their fathers, leading them to seek peer groups that reward behaviours associated with masculinity, such as aggression and risk-taking, which can lead to criminal activity. Heidensohn (1985) also noted that patriarchal societies impose stricter controls on women at home, in the workplace, and in public, reducing their chances of engaging in crime.
• Link: gender socialisation

  This theory is supported by crime statistics, which consistently show that men commit more crimes than women. By linking crime to social expectations and gender norms, this explanation emphasises how societal structures influence criminal behaviour