Describe

• Differential association theory(Sutherland)


  Offending behaviour can be explained in terms of learning. People vary in the frequency with which they associate with others who have more or less favourable attitudes towards crime and it is these attitudes that influence their own attitudes and behaviours.
• How differential association theory explains criminal behaviour


  1. Children learn attitudes towards crime just as they would any other behavioural traits

  2. They may be exposed to people in their environment who have pro-criminal attitudes

  3. They may learn attitudes towards particular types of crime and which crimes can be deemed more desirable or acceptable

  4. They may learn about specific methods for committing crime

  5. Attitudes and behaviours can be learned from interpersonal groups (such as family and friends) and the wider community
• Gender socialisation


  The process by which we learn mores, norms and values that are customary and necessary for the culture and society of which we live in
• Gender socialisation


  Boys are encouraged to be risk-takers and tough, whereas girls are more closely supervised and controlled than boys potentially leading to a more conformist personality type than boys
• There were approximately 83128 men in prison and 3259 women in prison in England and Wales in 2023
• Patriarchal societies where men dominate


  Typically impose greater lengths of control over women, so they may have less time or opportunity to commit crime
• Media representation of crime


  Can induce fear into women staying home or being out in public alone