In criminology, differential association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior. The differential association theory is the most talked about of the learning theories of deviance. (DAT). (Sutherland) (Sociological Theories of Crime and Their Explanation on Crime , 2007)
Theories of criminality are most commonly derived from human behavior. I chose the movie American history X and the theory is Sutherland’s differential Association theory (DAT). We look at many theories. In this theory people are taught that beliefs, involvements, behaviors, and attachments, can possess pro-social attachment. In the movie we see a correlation between the two brothers which shows social control theory, social bonding and social attachments. We then examine Edward Sutherland’s theory to begin to understand that, what we have learned from behaviors are taught.
The differential association theory has become the most talked about learning theory of deviance. The theory focuses on how individuals can learn to become criminals. The theory does not have concern for why individuals become criminals.
Criminology is the knowledge regarding crime and delinquency as a social issue. Criminology has within its scope the process of reacting toward the breaking of laws, breaking laws, and making laws.
The objective of all criminology is the development of a body of
Differential Association theory is a social-psychology theory that
This essay will critically analyse the killing of James Bulger from three different perspectives. It will also explain how a supposed moral society experiences such gruesome killings and worst of all it is carried out by children. Analyses of parental roles in the upbringing of the children will be discussed and what the society can do to prevent further occurrences. James Bulger was born on the 16th of March 1990.He was from Kirkby, England. He was abducted, tortured beyond comprehension and murdered by two-ten-year old boys namely Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.
Critical criminology is the study of the relationship between crime and power.
Fifth, the specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. Sixth, a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law. Seventh, Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. Eighth, the process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. Lastly, while criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those needs and values, since non-criminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.
The objective of criminological theories is to help one gain an understating of crime and criminal justice. Speculations cover the making and the infringing upon of the law, criminal and degenerate conduct, and additionally examples of criminal movement All of the listed theories play an important role regarding the reason why Aaron Hernandez committed the
Modelling theory also called the social learning theory can be defined as “behaviour which is learned in much the same way and such learning includes the acquisition of norms, values, and patterns of behaviour conceive to crime,
Integrated theory does not necessarily attempt to explain all criminality but is distinguishable by the idea of merging concepts drawn from different sources. Integrated criminology tries to bring together the diverse bodies of knowledge that represents the full range of disciplines that study crime (Schmalleger, 2012). Integrated theories provide wider explanatory power (Schmalleger, 2012). Integrative theories are like diversified theories and focus on criminal behavior and criminal activity while other theories focus on punishment and crime control (Jeffery, 1959). Integrated approach combines concepts and propositions from two or more prior existing theories into a single new set of integrated concepts and propositions (Elliot, 2017).
For example those who follow the code of the street, that may mean beating someone up to make themselves feel more powerful, but they had to learn that from somewhere as they can not only learn things from their direct experiences but there is also a high chance that they have seen exposed to others that do the same exact thing. Differential association theory which is a strain of social learning theory, explains that criminal behaviour, and the specific techniques that one needs to know to commit crime are learned. This relates to the code of the street because those who abide by it are not only taught the violent or criminal behaviour but are also taught the motivating factors that back up the behaviour. All the residents that follow the street code do because that is what is they are surrounded with and according to the social learning theory, which is explains that crime is learned, they watch how others deal with things and use that as a model. It is a cognitive process in which one’s attitude and their surroundings merge in an ongoing conditioning theory.
Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.
The Mafia and organized crime would be an example of deviance in society. Differential Association Theory and Social Structure sheds light on how individuals learn to become criminals, the conditions in social structures that lead to deviant behavior, and how both are similar. Members of the Mafia are influenced by their own set of norms and beliefs in their culture. Both, Differential Association Theory and Social Structure, are essential for a complete understanding of deviant behavior and why organized crime exists.
The criminological theory that I think is the best is the social leaning theory. The social learning is a social learning behavior which is affected by your peers. The people around you can really affect the way you think and act. Just hanging and socializing with people you can adapt bad habits. Learning also occurs through the observation of reactions and punishments.
Sutherland’s theory of Differential Association takes a macro level analysis as to why people commit crimes and brings it to a micro level analysis. He concludes that looking at a multiple factor approach did not explain why crimes are committed. Instead he asks the question what one singular factor touches on these multilevel factors. Sutherland looked for the universal explanation as to why crimes are committed rather than looking at individual reasons. His theory seeks what has always been present in crime and what has not or better yet what mechanism or experiences correlate to the crimes committed.
Edwin Sutherland proposed the Differential Association theory to explain how these criminal behaviors can be learned and maintained by emphasizing the meanings to the experiences through inmate personal groups. When the individual possesses the knowledge of the criminal behavior, they develop "techniques of committing the crime" and the specific direction of motives. Individuals are seen as delinquents or criminals when they encourage the violation of law over the obeying of law. John Dillinger's childhood gang, the Dirty Dozen, initiated his label as a thief and also asserted his desire to possessed excessive money. In his adulthood, John continues to learn how to perfect his criminal behavior by befriended professional bank robbers, Harry Pierpont, and Homer Van Meter, while he was imprisoned.
Two theories that can be compared are the Social Learning Theory and the Labeling Theory. When comparing these two theories we can use the juvenile crime of stealing to see how the theories are similar and different. The social learning theory basically states that crime like other behaviors is learned. The other theory, labeling states that certain things or children aren’t necessary deviant until society labels them as so. These two theories also have positives and negatives pertaining to how effective they are in the causes of juvenile delinquent behavior.
Differential Association Theory is a criminology theory that looks at the acts of the criminal as learned behaviors. Edwin H. Sutherland is accredited with the development of the Differential Association theory in 1939. Sutherland, a sociologist, and professor most of his life, developed Differential Association theory to explain how it was that criminals came to commit acts of deviant behavior. Under the differential association theory, there is no biological or genetic basis for criminal behavior. The learning of such behavior took place within a group already knowledgeable about and engaged in criminal behavior.