Differential Theory Essay

1855 Words8 Pages
Differential Association Theory Edwin Sutherland first projected his theory of differential association in 1939 in his book "The Principles of Criminology" to clarify why some people in society’s communities become criminals and some don’t (Scarpitti, 2009). The theory uses a sociological methodology to explain how criminals learn the practices and reasoning of criminal behavior, however it is entrenched in the Chicago School of criminology. Before this theory was created, crime was almost always explained by multiple factors, such as social class, race, location and age (Gomme, 2007). Differential association was one of the first theories to steer away from earlier classical theories that fixated on the individual and believe that that the criminal was born and not influenced. Sutherland believed the propensity for criminality is neither genetic nor fated. Instead, Edwin’s theory holds that external factors have a substantial influence over an individual's behavior (Scarpitti, 2009). Edwin appreciated that even though certain crimes happen more in minority populations, not everyone of that community are criminals. This is also true with more prosperous groups. Edwin wanted to go past the “black and white” walls and explain the elements that influence criminal behavior. Like many other learning philosophers, Edwin contended that small, close groups are where the most imperative learning takes place. These clusters consist of those that the individual acquaint with on constant basis, like family and friends. The main influential group of people is the family because that is where peoples understanding of values and social rules first take root (Sutherland. 1934). People teach each other multiplicity of things during social contact. Among these things are the reasoning, defiance, and practices used to justify and commit crimes. Sutherland’s theory consists of 9
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