The Theory Of Differential Association Essay - 1501 Words

Introduction Why do criminals commit crime? How to we learn to commit crime? These questions can be answered using social learning theory. Social learning approach is the assumption that all human behavior is socially learned (Thompson, Bynum 2013 115). The theory of differential association was developed by Edwin Sutherland to try and explain the development of criminal behavior. Essentially what this theory says is that deviant group behavior results from normative conflict. Normative conflict arises when multiple probable rules exist, specifying how one ought to behave in a given situation. Conflicts among norms affect deviant people of a variety of social groups. An individual is part of many social groups including friends, family, and school. Every group has its own set of social norms. Sometimes the norms between these groups can conflict with each other resulting in the possibility of deviant behavior Delinquency is a learned behavior and is learned in the same way we learn everything else. It is learning through social interactions with others in your close personal groups. When the groups that you are a part of participate in delinquent behavior that individual is more likely to learn and engage in that delinquent behavior. Not only are you learning how to be delinquent or the techniques that go along with this deviant behavior, one also learns the motivation behind this behavior. When you learn and identify with these motivations you re a lot more likely toShow MoreRelatedDifferential Association Theory1790 Words   |  8 PagesThe famous criminologist Edwin Sutherland developed Differential Association Theory in 1939. He felt that criminal behavior is behavior, learned, and is learned in face-to-face interactions with others. Differential association, which operates on the individual level, is where behavior is learned through interaction with others. Through this interaction an individual will learn the techniques and skills necessary to commit crime as well as the motives, rationalization, and attitudes necessary forRead MoreThe Theory Of The Differential Association Theory2539 Words   |  11 PagesVarious criminological theories have been constructed attempting to determine factors that contribute to how individuals begin to engage in deviant behavior. The Differential Association Theory established in 1947 by Edwin Sutherland, an American Criminologist, evaluates how delinquent behavior is learned through social interaction as well as learning from the legal definitions of laws and crimes. For example, an individual learning definitions that are favorable to breaking the law from peers orRead MoreDefinition Of Differential Association Theory917 Words   |  4 PagesDifferential Association In Edwin Sutherland theory has been around for over 30 years which is one of the most popular theories that there is in criminal behaviors. The differential association theory is considered to be one of the most and best formulation of theory of criminality, holds, in essence, that criminality in learned interactions from others through a way of communication (Cressey, 1954). Sutherland he explains how individual behaviors are learned behaviors and that people are notRead MoreDifferential Association Theory Essay1671 Words   |  7 PagesThis essay will discuss three theories, the differential association theory, the labelling theory and the rationale choice theory. The theories will discussed and how they can explain crime will also be discussed, and then a comparison of the theories will be given in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses in explaining youth crime. Theories within criminology try to explain why and how crime occurs. This is done through examining variou s facts that are related to the individual s criminalRead MoreSutherlands Differential Association Theory1430 Words   |  6 PagesSutherland’s Differential Association Theory Ryan Herron Dr. Patrick Parnaby SOC 2070 9 November 2017  There are many theories used by Sociologists to explain deviance. One such theory is differential association theory, proposed by Edwin Sutherland. There are many strengths and weaknesses of differential association that will be laid out in this paper after differential association theory is fully explained. When discussed, it becomes apparent that differential association theory has many strengthsRead MoreDifferential Association Theory Essay1292 Words   |  6 PagesThe Differential Association Theory, established by Edwin Sutherland in 1947, explicit the deviance of an individuals behavior and how it is learned through interaction with others or associations. There are several components that play a role in this theory that determines the main causes of delinquency. One of the components of this theory is, a person do not inherently become a criminal, it is a learned behavior. A person cannot decide one day he wants to commit a crime if he is not influenceRead MoreDifferential Association Theory Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pagescriminological theory and bullying to help explain the behavior of those individuals who participate in bullying. Differential Association Theory was introduced in 1939 by Edwin H. Sutherland and aimed at explaining how and why certain individuals commit deviant (criminal) acts. Additionally, Differential Association theory, believes that the behaviors of an individual are influenced and shaped by others they associate with. To support this assertion, I will provide a description of Differential AssociationRead MoreThe Association Between Differential Association Theory and Burglary1358 Words   |  6 Pagesan explanation into how differential association theory explains burglary. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) considers burglary a Type 1 Index Crime because of its potentially violent nature. The FBI breaks burglary down into three sub-classifications. This paper discusses the elements of the crime of burglary and what constitutes a structure or dwelling. It will discuss a brief history of the deviance, trends, rates, and how it correlates to the specific theory that this paper will alsoRead MoreThe Strengths Of Labelling Theory And Differential Association Theory1703 Words   |  7 PagesLabelling Theory can explain the factor of low socioeconomic status while Differential Association Theory can explain how the factor of family as reasons why some youth join gangs. This paper compares the relative strengths and weaknesses of Differential Association theory and Labelling theory and I argue that Labelling Theory offers the most compelling theoretical perspective to help account for how these factors influence youth to join gangs. I also argue that unlike the other two theories, a MarxistRead MoreDifferential Association and Social Bonding Theory1852 Words   |  8 PagesDifferential Association and Social Bonding Theory Introduction The purpose of the following study is determine what, if any, the components of social bonding theory and differential association play on the lives of college students. This study is composed of three hypotheses: A) If the amount of commitment to the college goes up will deviance go down?; B) If involvement with the college is increased then does deviance go down?; and C) If a student associates, or attaches, themselves to deviant