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Differential Association Theory

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In the criminology world there are many theories ranging from micro-level to macro-level to explain juvenile delinquency. Sutherland’s differential association theory is the theory I believe explains juvenile delinquency. The reason I believe differential association theory explains juvenile delinquency is because a huge proportion of delinquency happens with friends (Bates & Swan, 2018).Differential association theory is when someone learn behaviors and norms from people within a group they have contact with (Bates &Swan, 2018). Differential association theory explains cross social dimensions, such as class, gender, and race from a sociological aspect (Bates & Swan, 2018). Sutherland also made nine propositions that explains his theory.
One, …show more content…

Another theory that many other people favor to believe causes juvenile delinquency is the social control/social bond theory. The social control/social bond theory was created by Travis Hirschi (Bates & Swan, 2018). Hirschi theory disagrees with Sutherland’s theory. Hirschi theory believes juvenile delinquency is not a learned behavior (Bates & Swan, 2018). Instead, Hirschi believes that delinquent activities is a given and we all are capable, and willing participants in delinquency (Bates &Swan, 2018). The reason juveniles do not engage in delinquency is because they have socials bonds that keep them from engaging in unacceptable activities (Bates & Swan, 2018). There are four different social bonds, which are belief, attachment, involvement, and commitment (Bates &Swan, …show more content…

Differential association theory states that someone learn behaviors and norms from people within a group they have contact with (Bates &Swan, 2018). However, many others favor Travis Hirschi social control/social bond theory. Social control/social bond theory states that juveniles do not engage in delinquency is because they have socials bonds that keep them from engaging in unacceptable activities (Bates & Swan, 2018). Hirschi and Sutherland support their theory with great reasoning behind it. Neither criminologist is wrong, it all depends on the eye of

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Differential Association theory is a social-psychology theory that

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More specifically the Social Bond Theory is an excellent example of what Edmund Kemper lacked. Hirschi stated that if one does not create a bond to societies institutions then criminal behavior is more likely to occur. Something that Edmund lacked was sensitivity especially since he knew her mother disliked him because of the resemblance to his father and thus he didn’t care about hurting her feelings or letting her down. This goes to show that because he was not sensitive to the opinion of his mother he was more likely to break the law. The major component of this is a higher risk of delinquency because of family interaction and family structure.

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This theory is also based upon four concepts or elements found with social bonds: attachment, commitment, belief, and involvement, all of which contribute to criminal behavior. Social bonds are the interpersonal relationships we form with family, teachers, friends, employers and even neighbors. Self-control also plays a part in this theory because if a person does not possess self-control, the person is more prone to engaging in criminal activity because they do not want to violate social norms or hurt others. The stronger these elements are; the less likely criminal behavior takes

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In criminology, differential association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior. The differential association theory is the most talked about of the learning theories of deviance. (DAT). (Sutherland) (Sociological Theories of Crime and Their Explanation on Crime , 2007) Theories of criminality are most commonly derived from human behavior.

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Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated (from friends, education, family, etc.),

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Sutherland’s theory of Differential Association takes a macro level analysis as to why people commit crimes and brings it to a micro level analysis. He concludes that looking at a multiple factor approach did not explain why crimes are committed. Instead he asks the question what one singular factor touches on these multilevel factors. Sutherland looked for the universal explanation as to why crimes are committed rather than looking at individual reasons. His theory seeks what has always been present in crime and what has not or better yet what mechanism or experiences correlate to the crimes committed.

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We ask a question which came first the peer of the delinquent with selection perspective youth, selects their peers based on their own delinquency or delinquent attitudes. The socialization perspective with peer influence involvement attitudes and what are possible relationships criminal associations criminal definitions which lead to crime. This is a macro level theory on

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1336 Words | 6 Pages

Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.

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There are several Psychological theories that could contribute a path to delinquency. They include psychodynamic theory, the attachment theory, the moral development theory and the behavioral theory just to name a few. In researching information on Eric Smith, I believe he had several underlying issues that contributed to his violent senseless crime against a helpless little boy. I feel the lack of moral development was a huge factor that caused this youth to explode. Eric Smith was 13 years old, in 1993, when he murdered Derrick Robie, a 4-year-old little boy.

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Two theories that can be compared are the Social Learning Theory and the Labeling Theory. When comparing these two theories we can use the juvenile crime of stealing to see how the theories are similar and different. The social learning theory basically states that crime like other behaviors is learned. The other theory, labeling states that certain things or children aren’t necessary deviant until society labels them as so. These two theories also have positives and negatives pertaining to how effective they are in the causes of juvenile delinquent behavior.

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Social process theory depends on the interaction between individuals and society as an explanation and is also known as interactionist perspective. This theory assumes that everyone has the potential to violate the law and that criminality is not an innate human characteristic but is instead a belief that criminal behavior is learned by interaction with others (Schmalleger, 2012). Social process feels the socialization process that occurs because of group membership is the main way through which learning occurs (Schmalleger, 2012). Social process theory views criminality as people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society (Siegel, 2000). This theory feels that people from all areas have the potential

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One of the most analyzed theories in criminology today is the social learning theory. The social learning theory derives from the differential association theory by Dr. Edward Sutherland. The social learning theory of criminology says that individuals learn from the community around them. This happens in two ways by differential association and differential reinforcement. Differential association is the theory that individuals learn values and behaviors related with crime.

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Differential Association Theory is a criminology theory that looks at the acts of the criminal as learned behaviors. Edwin H. Sutherland is accredited with the development of the Differential Association theory in 1939. Sutherland, a sociologist, and professor most of his life, developed Differential Association theory to explain how it was that criminals came to commit acts of deviant behavior. Under the differential association theory, there is no biological or genetic basis for criminal behavior. The learning of such behavior took place within a group already knowledgeable about and engaged in criminal behavior.

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2153 Words | 9 Pages

This research paper draws on existing sociological research and classical social theories to examine juvenile delinquency, and to prove that juvenile delinquency in the schools are linked to social structure, within a sample of the entire form three student population. The two major theories this research paper will highlight is the strain theory coined by Robert Merton and social disorganization theory by Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay reason for using the same is that they are old theories, but often relates to modern criminality and delinquency, and also focuses on social structure and social functioning in society. Both social disorganization theory, and strain theory states that high

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The set of the structural-functional theories are among the most widespread perspectives on the juvenile delinquency. The group of the theories regards that the behavior of the underage delinquent is caused by the breakdown of the social process that consequently results in the increase of conformity (Thompson & Bynum, 2016). The group of theories presumably blame institutions that are responsible for the socialization of the young delinquents for the way the socialize the individuals by causing them to conform to the values of the society. One of the central theories of the juvenile delinquency is the anomie theory that is rooted in the early studies by the sociologist Emile Durkheim.

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