Differential Association Theory
The complexities of the American society over the years have paved the way for social problems like crime and violence in the country. Theories within criminology attempt to expound why and how crime happens. This is done through evaluating various facts that are connected to the individual’s criminal behavior and the crimes they commit. The Differential Association Theory is one of the theories that explain crime in the field of criminology. In the modern American society, the youths have been engaging in crime through their interaction with other people. Therefore, this paper discusses the Differential Association Theory through illustration of the modern American society.
The Differential Association Theory …show more content…
Sutherland noted that the actions of a person are influenced by the people they interact with. It is believed that because a person’s main interaction is with their family, as that is whom they have been raised and lived with, the person’s social values and norms are developed from the intimate relationship with family members. Sutherland asserted that that learned behavior is not invented or biologically transmitted, but rather, learned behavior is gained from the innate process of learning (Cressey, 2012). Looking at the current American society, the underlying causes of criminal behavior depend on the sociological or psychological state of an individual and the social circles in which that person lives. One of the leading causes of criminal behavior in Florida and the United States of America, in general, stands as peer influence. A widespread majority of perpetrators of criminal behavior, up to 90 percent, are young people who are influenced negatively by the society in which they reside. Peer influence takes advantage of two key aspects to guarantee prosperity - weakness and poor judgment (Law.jrank.org, 2013). The adolescent stage stands as a time highly vulnerable to the judgements and influence of peers; adolescent seeks the approval of those around them. This vulnerability to fit into society, or a specific social group, …show more content…
This concept declares that communication from television and media sources are less efficient in impacting a youth’s deicsion to commit crime, in comparision to intimate relationships. Family members and close acquaintances influence cases of crime in the United States, as children are likely to engage in crime when they lack affection and are a part of underprivileged generational cycles. The failure of family members to show their children affection leads to many children searching for ways to overcome the sentiments of neglect they possess. Children seek out the affection that they do not receive from close relationships in behaviors and social groups, even if it places them directly in harm’s way. There have been cases where some convicted individuals have at least one family member or close friend that has at one time taken part in the
The complexities of the American society over the years have paved the way for social problems like crime and violence in the country. Theories within criminology attempt to expound why and how crime happens. This is done through evaluating various facts that are connected to the individual’s criminal behavior and the crimes they commit. The Differential Association Theory is one of the theories that explain crime in the field of criminology. In the modern American society, the youths have been engaging in crime through their interaction with other people. Therefore, this paper discusses the Differential Association Theory through illustration of the modern American society.
The Differential Association Theory …show more content…
Sutherland noted that the actions of a person are influenced by the people they interact with. It is believed that because a person’s main interaction is with their family, as that is whom they have been raised and lived with, the person’s social values and norms are developed from the intimate relationship with family members. Sutherland asserted that that learned behavior is not invented or biologically transmitted, but rather, learned behavior is gained from the innate process of learning (Cressey, 2012). Looking at the current American society, the underlying causes of criminal behavior depend on the sociological or psychological state of an individual and the social circles in which that person lives. One of the leading causes of criminal behavior in Florida and the United States of America, in general, stands as peer influence. A widespread majority of perpetrators of criminal behavior, up to 90 percent, are young people who are influenced negatively by the society in which they reside. Peer influence takes advantage of two key aspects to guarantee prosperity - weakness and poor judgment (Law.jrank.org, 2013). The adolescent stage stands as a time highly vulnerable to the judgements and influence of peers; adolescent seeks the approval of those around them. This vulnerability to fit into society, or a specific social group, …show more content…
This concept declares that communication from television and media sources are less efficient in impacting a youth’s deicsion to commit crime, in comparision to intimate relationships. Family members and close acquaintances influence cases of crime in the United States, as children are likely to engage in crime when they lack affection and are a part of underprivileged generational cycles. The failure of family members to show their children affection leads to many children searching for ways to overcome the sentiments of neglect they possess. Children seek out the affection that they do not receive from close relationships in behaviors and social groups, even if it places them directly in harm’s way. There have been cases where some convicted individuals have at least one family member or close friend that has at one time taken part in the