Differential Association Theory Essay - 1671 Words

This essay will discuss three theories, the differential association theory, the labelling theory and the rationale choice theory. The theories will discussed and how they can explain crime will also be discussed, and then a comparison of the theories will be given in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses in explaining youth crime. Theories within criminology try to explain why and how crime occurs. This is done through examining various facts that are related to the individual s criminal behaviour and the crime they commit. There are a wide range of theories which can be used to explain the causes of crime and deviant behaviour from youths. The first theory is the differential association theory by Edwin Sutherland (1947). He†¦show more content†¦The second principle refutes the idea that criminal behaviour is learned through the individual witnessing deviant or criminal behaviour. Instead this believes that criminality is learned behaviour though interaction with others in the process of communication. Children are accustomed to the norms of society at a very young age, they are taught the roles of both a people around them. They also learn these roles by observing the male or female characteristics relating to the specific gender. For example an individual may learn about deviant behaviour through communicating with the person who is committing the deviant behaviour. The third principle states that individuals commit crime because they are influenced by the behaviour of intimate people such as family members and close friends. Methods of communication from television and or media are less effective in influen cing the individual (Hopkins Burke, 2009:106). The fourth factor from Sutherland s theory is that learning criminal behaviour involves learning specific techniques, drives, motives and rationalization. Having a primary group of people around does not necessarily mean that the individual will engage in crime, but it does mean that they have the resources into theShow MoreRelatedDifferential Association Theory Essay1292 Words   |  6 PagesThe Differential Association Theory, established by Edwin Sutherland in 1947, explicit the deviance of an individuals behavior and how it is learned through interaction with others or associations. There are several components that play a role in this theory that determines the main causes of delinquency. One of the components of this theory is, a person do not inherently become a criminal, it is a learned behavior. A person cannot decide one day he wants to commit a crime if he is not influenceRead MoreDifferential Association Theory Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pagescriminological theory and b ullying to help explain the behavior of those individuals who participate in bullying. Differential Association Theory was introduced in 1939 by Edwin H. 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