Differential Association

Definition

Differential association is a theory that explains how individuals learn deviant behavior through interaction with others. It suggests that criminal behavior is learned in social contexts, where individuals are exposed to varying attitudes, values, and norms. The theory emphasizes the role of relationships and social environments in shaping an individual’s actions and beliefs about crime, making it relevant to understanding social learning processes and childhood development in relation to delinquency.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept was developed by Edwin Sutherland in the early 20th century, emphasizing that criminal behavior is not inherent but learned through social interaction.
2. Individuals who associate with peers who engage in criminal activities are more likely to adopt similar behaviors due to the influence of those relationships.
3. Differential association underscores the importance of context and environment in shaping a person's propensity for delinquency, highlighting the role of family, friends, and community.
4. The theory suggests that exposure to pro-criminal attitudes can outweigh exposure to anti-criminal values, leading to an increased likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.
5. It plays a critical role in understanding how childhood experiences and social environments can lead to future patterns of delinquency among youth.

Review Questions

• How does differential association explain the learning process behind deviant behavior?
  • Differential association explains that deviant behavior is not innate but learned through interactions with others. It suggests that individuals acquire criminal behavior by being exposed to attitudes and values that favor such conduct. This learning occurs within social contexts where relationships play a significant role, demonstrating that one's environment and peer influences can lead to the adoption of deviant behaviors over time.
• Discuss how differential association can help us understand the relationship between childhood environments and future delinquent behavior.
  • Differential association highlights that children learn behaviors from their immediate social circles. If a child grows up in an environment where criminal activity is normalized or even celebrated, they are more likely to adopt similar behaviors. This theory indicates that negative influences during childhood, such as exposure to crime through family or peers, can significantly shape future tendencies toward delinquency, reinforcing the importance of supportive social environments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of differential association theory in explaining juvenile delinquency compared to other theories of crime.
  • Differential association theory effectively captures how social environments influence juvenile delinquency by focusing on learned behaviors within relationships. Unlike biological or psychological theories that may emphasize inherent traits or individual dysfunctions, this theory acknowledges the critical role of socialization. Evaluating its effectiveness reveals that it accounts for variations in delinquent behavior across different communities and peer groups, providing a comprehensive understanding of crime as a socially learned phenomenon rather than solely an individual issue.

Related terms

Social Learning Theory: A psychological framework that posits that behaviors are learned through observing and imitating others, as well as through the rewards and punishments associated with those behaviors.

Criminalization: The process through which certain behaviors are defined as criminal and subject to legal penalties, often influenced by societal norms and values.

Peer Influence: The impact that a peer group has on an individual’s behaviors and attitudes, particularly during adolescence, often leading to conformity or deviance.