Learning theory - Differential association

Who created the Differential association learning theory and what does it argue?

Sutherland’s theory which is looks at how individuals behaviour are shaped by the individuals around them.

What did this theorist argue?

Sutherland argued that criminal behaviour was learnt.

These interactions involved around learning how to commit crime, motivations and rationalisations of crime.

A supporting theorist of differential association?

Farrington Et Al did a study of men in London with a criminal record and found majority of them had a family history of crime, low education and risk taking behaviour.

How does association cause crime?

Families may develop criminal norms and behaviours

Status is attained from criminal behaviour and is rewarded by peers

Evaluation of differential association theory

Strength:

Osborne and West found 40% of children with criminal parents had convictions by the age of 18

Walmsley Et Al found 1/3 of the prison population in the UK had family members with criminal convictions

Limitations:

Farrington suggested that association wasn’t the only reason for committing crime - also poverty, low education etc..

Fails to explain why some family members of a crime family may reject crime.