Introduction See pages 334 335 PHG Differential Association

Introduction See pages 334 -335 PHG

Differential Association Theory IT’S A BIT LIKE SOCIAL LEARNING

Introduction The biological explanation theories put the blame for crime inside the criminal – this is known as hard determinism A limit of these theories is that they ignore the role of culture and our peers in how behaviour and attitudes are shaped.

Introduction People do not exist in a vacuum. beliefs and attitudes can be heavily influenced by the people we socialise with DA argues that criminal behaviour is learned from our social groups Nurture not nature

Differential Association Theory Think honestly about your own views, attitudes and behaviour. Can you think of any examples of how you have been shaped by your peer/social groups or by your upbringing? Do you think you would still hold the same views and beliefs if born into a different family, social class or culture? Is having your attitudes shaped by your peer groups necessarily a bad thing?

Differential Association Theory First proposed by Sutherland (1939). Argued that criminals are not born, they are made All about socialisation Criminals take on the views of criminal social groups

Differential Association Theory The term “differential association” refers to the fact that people vary the frequency with which they socialise with various groups. If you mix more often with people who hold positive views towards crime, the more likely you are to develop procriminal views.

Differential Association Theory You also learn about what crimes are acceptable to your group. Which laws do you think many people would see as acceptable to occasionally break?

Differential Association Theory Sutherland also proposed that it is not only attitudes and values that are learned. Specific criminal behaviours are also learned. For example, an older brother might teach a younger sibling how to most effectively shop lift or burgle a house.

Differential Association Theory Watch the video clip from “The Wire”. How does this demonstrate an aspect of DA? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=k. IUlh. WWIc. Nc& spfreload=10

Differential Association Theory Could we connect the learning shown in DA to cognitive distortions shown by criminals?

Differential Association Theory Sutherland identified 9 key principles to explain DA. These are: 1. Criminal behaviour is learned. 2. Criminal behaviour is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication. 3. The principal part of the learning of criminal behaviour occurs within intimate personal groups 4. When criminal behaviour is learned, the learning includes (a) techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes simple; (b) the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes.

Differential Association Theory Sutherland identified 9 key principles to explain DA. These are: 5. The specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favourable or unfavourable. 6. A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favourable to violation of law over definitions unfavourable to violation of the law. 7. Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity

Differential Association Theory Sutherland identified 9 key principles to explain DA. These are: 8. The process of learning criminal behaviour by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. 9. While criminal behaviour is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those needs and values, since non-criminal behaviour is an expression of the same needs and values. Using the blank template, draw a simple stickman drawing to show each of Sutherland’s nine principles of differential association.

Evaluation One of the good things about DA theory is that it can explain why criminal behaviour seems to run in families. Read the studies we learned about when we studied “Inherited criminality” How could the studies above be used to support DA theory?

Evaluation However, on the other hand, we could argue that one of its weaknesses is that it does not take biological factors into account. Read the studies from “Inherited Criminality” How are the findings of the studies above incompatible with DA theory? What did Farrington et al (2006) do and find? How does it support DA theory?

Evaluation Hard to test theory Difficult to quantify and measure Often done with hindsight Important historically Previous theory promoted racism and prejudice Not biology but circumstance Applications Interventions can be put in place.

Evaluation Watch the “Coffee vs Gangs” advert. According to DA, how will this scheme prevent criminal behaviour. How successful do you think this would be? https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=h. D 4 f. Cm. CRCx. Q https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Zz. M 7 XK 9 DU 0 g

Evaluation Does not place blame inside criminals Society has to take some of the blame Can explain a variety of crime White collar Any social group can be procrime On the other hand, explain why DA cannot account for all types of crime

Evaluation DA argues that associating with criminals was enough to become one Not all people will become criminals Some criminals don’t have the socialisation Therefore not a complete theory Free will? No agency? Are we sheep? Accountability?

Evaluation Explain why cause and effect is an issue within this theory.

Evaluation There is also a possible logical flaw in DA theory. If all crime is learned from socialisation with criminals, and they likewise would have learned it from other criminals, then where did criminal behaviour originally come from?

Evaluation Another issue with this theory is that it may be out of date. Perhaps before the rise of mass media and the internet (in particular social media) DA theory was a good explanation for crime. However, the world is a very different place than it was in 1939, and Sutherland’s theory may not be a good fit for our modern technologically advanced society.

Evaluation Explain how the internet and/or social media may mean that DA is outdated.

Evaluation Does this theory have a gender bias? Explain your answer.

Evaluation Does this theory have a cultural bias? Explain your answer.

Evaluation How could the diathesis stress model be integrated into DA theory?

Essay John is 15 and grew up in a family where his father was absent for long periods due to imprisonment. John’s older brother had also spent time in juvenile detention. He is now starting to get into trouble with the police himself. John has heard his neighbours refer to his family as a “criminal family. ” Using your knowledge of both biological and social psychological theories, discuss the extent to which such a thing as a “criminal family” could be argued to exist. [16]

Essay This is testing your AO 3 skills. This is the skill of evaluation and analysis. It is also testing your AO 2 (application) skills. This means you have to apply your knowledge to the given situation. For the 15 marks, you will need to write about three sides of A 4 and under timed conditions would be about 20 minutes. You should aim to use accurate terminology. Your answer needs both range and depth.

Essay In the space, plan an answer Think about structure.