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Questions and Answers
What year was the differential association theory developed by Edwin Sutherland?
What year was the differential association theory developed by Edwin Sutherland?
Sutherland's differential association theory focuses only on individual criminality.
Sutherland's differential association theory focuses only on individual criminality.
False
Name one of the three concepts introduced in Sutherland's differential association theory.
Name one of the three concepts introduced in Sutherland's differential association theory.
Normative conflict
Primitive societies are characterized by __________, solidarity, and consensus.
Primitive societies are characterized by __________, solidarity, and consensus.
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Match each concept with its appropriate description:
Match each concept with its appropriate description:
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What does Sutherland argue is the root cause of crime in society?
What does Sutherland argue is the root cause of crime in society?
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According to Sutherland, advanced societies tend to have low rates of crime due to their consensus.
According to Sutherland, advanced societies tend to have low rates of crime due to their consensus.
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What societal changes during the industrial revolution contributed to increased crime rates?
What societal changes during the industrial revolution contributed to increased crime rates?
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What is the primary factor that Sutherland attributes to high crime rates?
What is the primary factor that Sutherland attributes to high crime rates?
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Normative conflict is indicated by societal agreement on the law.
Normative conflict is indicated by societal agreement on the law.
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List one element that is necessary for criminal behavior to occur, according to Sutherland.
List one element that is necessary for criminal behavior to occur, according to Sutherland.
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Definitions that justify criminal acts are termed __________ to crime.
Definitions that justify criminal acts are termed __________ to crime.
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Match the type of definitions with their descriptions:
Match the type of definitions with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements accurately reflects Sutherland's hypothesis on criminal behavior?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects Sutherland's hypothesis on criminal behavior?
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The opportunity to commit a crime is not considered a factor in Sutherland's theory.
The opportunity to commit a crime is not considered a factor in Sutherland's theory.
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According to Sutherland, how are definitions favorable to crime learned?
According to Sutherland, how are definitions favorable to crime learned?
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According to Sutherland, the process of differential association includes __________ organized by families and neighborhoods.
According to Sutherland, the process of differential association includes __________ organized by families and neighborhoods.
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Which of the following is NOT a condition for criminal behavior to occur, according to the differential association theory?
Which of the following is NOT a condition for criminal behavior to occur, according to the differential association theory?
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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
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Criminality is learned through communication within close-knit groups (e.g., gangs, families).
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Learning involves gaining skills and techniques for committing crimes.
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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."
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Definitions favourable to crime are balanced against those unfavourable.
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Frequent, high-intensity, early exposure to favourable definitions tend to influence behaviour more.
Criteria for Criminal Behaviour (Differential Association)
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Learning necessary skills and techniques for crime.
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Learning an excess of favourable to unfavourable definitions of crime.
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Having the opportunity to commit the crime.
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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
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Differential social organization refers to the structures and organization of the broader social environment (families, neighborhoods, schools, labor markets).
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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.
