Edwin Sutherland proposed differential association theory in 1947, which argues that criminal behavior is learned through intimate personal groups and defines criminal behavior as a learning process that can affect anyone. The theory states that individuals learn criminal techniques, motives, rationalizations and attitudes from these groups. It also acknowledges that the direction of one's motives is learned from how legal codes are defined by these groups as favorable or unfavorable. Critics argue that it does not fully explain acts of deviance that are not learned or spontaneous, or account for biological and psychological factors. However, Sutherland recognized it did not provide a complete explanation on its own and that personality also plays a role.
2. Differential Association
In 1947 Edwin Sutherland proposed:
Crime is a learning process that could
affect any individual in any culture.
3. Differential Association
Main Principles
Main Principles
Criminal behavior is learned from intimate personal
groups.
The learning includes techniques for committing crimes,
motives, rationalizations and attitudes.
The specific direction of motives and drives is learned
from definitions of legal codes as favorable or
unfavorable.
A person becomes delinquent because of an access of
definitions favorable to breaking the law.
4. Principles
Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration,
priority and intensity.
The process of learning criminal behavior is the same as
in any other learning process.
Criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and
values, it is not explained by those needs and values
since noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same
needs and values.
9. Differential Association Critics
It does not explain a law abiding family having a child
who falls into a life of crime.
The theory lacks the ability to explain acts of deviance
that aren’t learned and/or are spontaneous.
The influence of drugs on an individual’s psychological
and physiological condition could contribute to an
individual’s deviant behavior (Burgess & Akers, 1968)
It ignores the role of personality or the role of biological
and psychological factors in crime (Paul Tappan, 1947).
10. Differential Association: The
complete answer?
Sutherland was one of the most astute critics of the
Differential Association Theory.
He conceded: Not everyone in contact with criminality
becomes a criminal.
He recognized his theory did not take into account
various personality factors.
11. Differential Association: A large piece
of the criminal puzzle
Differential Association is not the complete answer but it
does bring attention to:
The importance of social factors
The similarity between the process of learning criminal
behavior and that of learning lawful behavior
The fact that criminality cannot be explained entirely in
terms of personality maladjustments.
The answer lies in the choice of the people we associate
with and who we look up to as role models.
12. References:
Lilly, R., Cullen, T. & Ball, Richard. (2011) Criminological Theory:
Context and Consequences, Sage Publications, Inc.
Burgess, R. & Akers, R.(1966). A Differential Association-
Reinforcement Theory of Criminal Behavior. Social Problems, 14:
363-383.
Tappan, P., (1947). Short Notes on Differential Association Theory of
Crime, retrieved on line from
http://www.preservearticles.com/2012050131531/short-notes-on-
differential-association-theory-of-crime.html
