Differential Association
Differential Association
Differential Association
association
Sutherland's theory of
differential association
The principles of Sutherland's Theory of
Differential Association key points:[1]
Explanation
Furthermore, some new and additional
theoretical specifications about the social
influence of others on the individual, all in
accordance with the original ideas of
Sutherland are proposed and empirically
tested. The differential association theory
according to the version of K.-D. Opp is
fairly well corroborated by the data. Only
three of the postulated relationships are
rejected. The theory explains 51% of the
variance of criminal behavior, even
considering that no criminal population is
used for the test and only minor offenses
are measured. The test also shows that
the impact of the frequency of contacts
with deviant behaviour patterns on the
development of positive definitions and on
the frequency of communication about
relevant techniques is substantial and
cannot be ignored by criminologists.
Furthermore, special analysis show that
several propositions favour the theory. It is
the deviancy of others that has the most
substantial impact: the more youngsters
have contact with their friends, the
stronger the impact of the deviancy of
their friends on the development of
positive definitions or on the frequency of
communication about techniques. The
tests also show that the more youngsters
identify themselves with others, the
stronger the impact of the deviancy of the
others on their norms. These results
support the modification of the DA theory
according to Opp and falsify some
propositions of social control theory.
Critique
One criticism leveled against this theory
has to do with the idea that people can be
independent, rational actors and
individually motivated. This notion of one
being a criminal based on his or her
environment is problematic. This theory
does not take into account personality
traits that might affect a person's
susceptibility to these environmental
influences.[4]
See also
Tabula Rasa
References
1. Scarpitti, F. R., Nielsen, A. L., & Miller,
J. M. (2009). A Sociological Theory of
Criminal Behavior. Crime and
Criminals Contemporary and Classic
Readings in Criminology (2 ed., p
211). New York: Oxford University
Press.
2. Crime in Canadian Context: Debates
and Controversies by William O'
Grady (2nd edition)
3. Crime in Canadian Context: Debates
and Controversies by William O'
Grady (2nd edition)
4. Crime in Canadian Context: Debates
and Controversies by William O'
Grady (2nd edition)
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