16.4.3 Differential Association Theory

• The Differential Association Theory was proposed by Edwin
• Criminal behaviour is believed to be inherited according to Differential Association Theory.

  False
• Criminal behaviour is learned through interaction and communication
• Intimate personal groups such as family and close friends have the most influence in shaping criminal attitudes.
• Arrange the variables influencing differential associations in order of their influence according to Differential Association Theory.

  1️⃣ Frequency

  2️⃣ Duration

  3️⃣ Priority

  4️⃣ Intensity
• The process of learning criminal behaviour involves the same mechanisms as any other learning process.
• Similar needs and values can lead to either criminal or non-criminal behaviour depending on an individual's learning
• Match the learning mechanism with its explanation in Differential Association Theory.

  Reinforcement ↔️ Repeating actions that lead to rewards

  Imitation ↔️ Learning by observing and copying
• Differential Association Theory emphasizes that criminal behaviour is shaped by both positive and negative views toward the law.
• Who proposed the Differential Association Theory?

  Edwin Sutherland
• Criminal behaviour is learned through interaction, not through innate factors.
• Criminal behavior is transmitted through social groups via communication and interaction.
• Which social groups have the greatest influence in teaching criminal behavior?

  Family and friends
• Learning criminal behaviour includes both techniques and attitudes towards the law.
• Attitudes toward legal codes can be learned as either favorable or unfavorable.
• What determines whether an individual becomes delinquent according to the theory?

  Balance of pro- vs anti-criminal definitions
• The variables of association in learning criminal behavior include frequency, duration, priority, and intensity.
• General learning mechanisms like reinforcement and imitation are used in acquiring criminal behavior.
• What role do similar needs and values play in criminal behavior?

  Can lead to both criminal and non-criminal behaviour
• Match the learning mechanism with its explanation:

  Reinforcement ↔️ Repeating actions for rewards or to avoid punishment

  Imitation ↔️ Learning by observing and copying others
• Differential reinforcement explains how individuals learn to repeat actions that result in rewards.
• Punishments in differential reinforcement discourage criminal behavior by introducing negative consequences.
• What is an example of a reward that reinforces criminal behavior?

  Praise from peers
• White-collar crime is learned through communication within professional environments.
• Gang violence is acquired through interaction with gang members who promote pro-violence attitudes.
• How is petty theft developed according to the theory?

  Through peer support
• Offending behavior is learned through interaction and communication within social groups.
• Match the key concept with its explanation:

  Pro-criminal attitudes ↔️ Attitudes favoring law violation

  Peer group influence ↔️ Groups normalizing criminal behavior

  Learning variables ↔️ Frequency, duration, priority, intensity
• What are the variables of association in Differential Association Theory?

  Frequency, duration, priority, intensity
• General learning mechanisms in the Differential Association Theory include reinforcement and imitation
• Similar needs and values always lead to criminal behaviour.

  False
• What principle of the Differential Association Theory is illustrated by a child learning to steal from their parents?

  Criminal behaviour is learned
• The Differential Association Theory was proposed by Edwin Sutherland
• Criminal behaviour is innate, not learned.

  False
• How is criminal behaviour learned according to the Differential Association Theory?

  Through interaction and communication
• Family and close friends are examples of intimate groups in the Differential Association Theory.
• What does the learning of criminal behaviour include according to the Differential Association Theory?

  Techniques and motives
• Attitudes toward legal codes are always favourable in criminal groups.

  False
• What determines delinquency in the Differential Association Theory?

  The balance of pro- vs anti-criminal definitions
• Order the variables of association in Differential Association Theory by their importance:

  1️⃣ Frequency

  2️⃣ Duration

  3️⃣ Priority

  4️⃣ Intensity