differential associations theory
Cards (4)
- INTRO
- proposed by Sutherland. suggests we learn criminal behaviour through our observations and experiences with people we see as 'role models' that are criminals follows slt principles of observing, repeating, imitating and thus identifying with criminal behaviour
- scientific approach thus suggests that criminal behaviour can be predicted this way; person more likely to become a criminal if they are exposed to more pro-criminal attitudes than anti-criminal attitudes
- can lead to individual disregarding law-abiding behaviour and adopting general knowledge on how to commit crimes
- A03+ doesn't entirely blame the individual - this approach can be seen as more realistic as it doesn't wholly suggest individuals are responsible for their actions, as the environment has a large influential factor in this. this therefore can help prevent negative stereotyping that some people may receive ( e.g Lombrosos theory ) and thus provides a more accurate description of how criminal behaviour is acquired.
- A03-environmentally deterministic - only suggests external factors are responsible for acquiring criminal behaviour. this fails to consider the role of biological influences such as abnormalities in candidate genes which have been found in criminals. this limits the validity of the approach as it does not provide a comprehensive explanation, or consider free will individuals have over adopting criminal behaviour. this would be criticised by the judicial system as it can allow individuals to not take accountability for their actions as they can blame it on their environment
- A03+ supportive study - Reiss and Rhodes- found that boys in close friendship triads (groups of three) were more likely to behave criminally if other members of the triad also behaved criminally. this therefore supports the idea of imitating behaviour of people we see as 'role models'/ identify with which provides a reliable explanation to criminal behaviour as it is regularly seen in real life scenarios