Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association Theory
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Questions and Answers

What year was the differential association theory developed by Edwin Sutherland?

  • 1957
  • 1937
  • 1947 (correct)
  • 1967

Sutherland's differential association theory focuses only on individual criminality.

False (B)

Name one of the three concepts introduced in Sutherland's differential association theory.

Normative conflict

Primitive societies are characterized by __________, solidarity, and consensus.

<p>harmony</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each concept with its appropriate description:

<p>Normative Conflict = The breakdown of consensus over values Differential Association = Learning crime through interaction with social groups Differential Group Organization = Explains crime rates based on group dynamics Industrial Revolution = Period that contributed to societal segmentation and conflict</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Sutherland argue is the root cause of crime in society?

<p>Normative conflict (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Sutherland, advanced societies tend to have low rates of crime due to their consensus.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What societal changes during the industrial revolution contributed to increased crime rates?

<p>Breakdown in consensus and segregation of groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that Sutherland attributes to high crime rates?

<p>Normative conflict (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Normative conflict is indicated by societal agreement on the law.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

List one element that is necessary for criminal behavior to occur, according to Sutherland.

<p>Requisite skills and techniques for committing crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Definitions that justify criminal acts are termed __________ to crime.

<p>favorable</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of definitions with their descriptions:

<p>Favorable definitions = Justify criminal behavior Unfavorable definitions = Discourage criminal behavior Techniques of neutralization = Rationalize criminal acts Differential social organization = Broader societal influence on crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects Sutherland's hypothesis on criminal behavior?

<p>Crime occurs when favorable definitions outweigh unfavorable ones. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The opportunity to commit a crime is not considered a factor in Sutherland's theory.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Sutherland, how are definitions favorable to crime learned?

<p>Through communication in intimate groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Sutherland, the process of differential association includes __________ organized by families and neighborhoods.

<p>definitions</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a condition for criminal behavior to occur, according to the differential association theory?

<p>Committing a crime without intentions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Differential Association Theory

A theory explaining crime through learning within social groups, emphasizing interaction and exposure to criminal behavior.

Normative Conflict

Disagreement among groups in a society about values, beliefs, and acceptable behaviors, leading to higher crime rates.

Differential Social Organization

The concept explaining variations in crime rates across social groups due to organizational differences influencing behavior patterns.

Sutherland's 9 Propositions

A set of statements outlining the principles of differential association theory, highlighting the relationship between crime, social groups, and learning.

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Primitive Societies

Societies that lack complex divisions of labor and have high levels of consensus on values and behaviors, leading to low crime rates.

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Advanced Societies

Societies with complex economies, specialized labor, and conflicting values, leading to higher crime rates.

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How do social groups affect crime?

Social groups influence individual behavior through exposure to criminal values and techniques, shaping their attitudes towards crime.

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What is the role of learning in crime?

Criminal behavior is learned through interaction with groups that favor criminal behavior, including techniques and rationalizations.

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Sutherland's Hypothesis

High crime rates are linked to normative conflict. The more conflicting views on the law, the higher the crime rate.

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Differential Association Process (DAP)

This explains how societal normative conflict translates into individual criminal acts.

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Learning Criminal Skills

One aspect of DAP involves acquiring the techniques needed for committing specific crimes.

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Definitions of Crime

These are explanations or justifications for criminal acts, either favorable or unfavorable to breaking the law.

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Techniques of Neutralization

Rationalizations used to justify criminal behavior, such as denying responsibility or blaming the victim.

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Ratio of Definitions

The likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior is influenced by the balance between definitions favorable to crime and those unfavorable to crime.

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Weight of Definitions

Definitions presented frequently, over a longer duration, early in life, and in stronger relationships hold more influence in shaping criminal behavior.

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Conditions for Criminal Behavior (DAP)

For criminal behavior to occur, an individual must have learned criminal skills, acquired more definitions favorable to crime, and have the opportunity to commit the act.

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Study Notes

Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association Theory

  • Sutherland's 1947 differential association theory revolutionized criminology, applying Chicago-style sociology.
  • The theory explains individual criminality as a learned social process within interactions with social groups.
  • It also attempts to explain crime rates across groups and societies.

Differential Association Theory Components

  • Sutherland presented nine propositions, introducing concepts to explain crime across societal, individual, and group levels.
  • These concepts include normative conflict, differential association, and differential group organization.

Normative Conflict and Crime Rates

  • Sutherland's theory suggests that crime originates from social conflict.
  • Primitive societies exhibit harmony and consensus, leading to low crime.
  • Industrial societies, with their specialization and conflict, often have higher crime rates. This conflict arises when groups differ on the interpretation of laws, leading one group to define them as rules to be universally followed and another group defines them to be broken under certain circumstances.

Differential Association and Individual Crime

  • Criminality is learned through communication within close-knit groups (e.g., gangs, families).

  • Learning involves gaining skills and techniques for committing crimes.

  • Crucial are definitions favourable or unfavourable to crime that motivate either criminal activity of refraining from criminal activity- these are motives and rationalizations to justify or condemn crime. These motivations are evident through statements like "Everyone cheats on taxes" or "Tax fraud harms the common good."

  • Definitions favourable to crime are balanced against those unfavourable.

  • Frequent, high-intensity, early exposure to favourable definitions tend to influence behaviour more.

Criteria for Criminal Behaviour (Differential Association)

  • Learning necessary skills and techniques for crime.

  • Learning an excess of favourable to unfavourable definitions of crime.

  • Having the opportunity to commit the crime.

  • The theory could be disproven by a situation where all three conditions are present, but crime does not occur (or crime occurs in the absence of all three conditions).

Differential Social Organization

  • Differential social organization refers to the structures and organization of the broader social environment (families, neighborhoods, schools, labor markets).

  • This organization shapes interactions. and thus contributes to the differential association process.

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Description

Explore Edwin Sutherland's influential 1947 theory on differential association and its impact on criminology. This quiz delves into the theory's components, including normative conflict, and how crime is learned through social interactions. Understand the implications for crime rates in various societies.

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