ipl-logo

Basic Idea And Major Theorists: Social Learning Theory

959 Words4 Pages

The Stooper: Social Learning (Differential Association) Theory – Brandon Sookraj Basic Idea and Major Theorists: Social Learning Theories According to social learning (differential association) theory, people learn the techniques and approaches of crime from their close relationships with criminal peers. As a result crime is a creation from learning the values and behaviors involved with criminal activity. This clearly describes the behavior of stoopers in John Rosecrance’s article, as stoopers are taught criminals that learn the norms, values and behavior all associated with being a professional stooper. Furthermore, Rosecrance agrees with Edward Sutherland’s theory of social learning (differential association) theory stating “Sutherland’s concept of …show more content…

30). Rosecrance believes that Sutherlands model can still be used in the modern era to help determine whether or not someone fits the criteria to be considered a professional criminal. As result Rosecrance uses Edward Sutherland’s model of the five characteristics of professional crime to demonstrate the behaviors of stoopers as criminal actions. Throughout the article Rosecrance follows the five characteristics of a professional criminal outlined by Sutherland’s model. He applies Sutherland’s theory to “describe the activities of professional stoopers and demonstrate how their behavior closely parallels the original Sutherland model of professional crime” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 30). With this Rosecrance applies the five characteristics of professional crime 1) technical skill, 2) status, 3) consensus,

Open Document