Social Process Theory Essay

Edwin Sutherland’s theory of Differential Association theory is about an individual learning criminal behaviour through interaction with intimate groups. His theory includes four modalities, which are frequency, duration priority and intensity. Sutherland’s theory is seen

Social learning theory (SLT), cognitive approach, behaviorist approach, humanistic approach, psychodynamic approach and biological approach.

as a general concept, social learning theory has been applied to the many different fields of social science to explain why certain individuals develop motivation to commit (or abstain from) crime and develop the skills to commit crime through the people they associate with. Social Learning Theory (SLT) is one of the most frequently looked at theories in the criminology field. This theory was introduced by Ronald L. Akers as a reformulation of Edwin H. Sutherland 's (1947) differential association theory of crime meld with principles of behavior psychology (Bradshaw, 2011). Akers retained the concepts of differential association and definitions from Sutherland 's theory, but conceptualized them in more behavioral terms and

And on the other hand how “Code of the Streets” shows links to the Differential Association and Social Learning theories of crime. The Differential Association (closely related to Social Disorganization theory), developed by Edwin Sutherland, and Social Learning theory, developed by Ronald Akers, both theories of crime are theories that try to explain, at a micro-level, why individuals rather than groups of individuals commit crime (Feldmeyer, Differential Association and Social Learning, 2015).

From birth, our families, friends, and society influenced our choices. We were told what we could and could not accept. The music we listened to, the food we ate, and the clothes we wore were all influenced by someone in our community or household. These experiences from your childhood tend to determine the choices we will make as adults. We are living in a world that approaches life with a black or white perceptive, meaning decisions in life are either morally right or morally wrong. Differential Association Theory is defined as a criminological theory created by Edwin Sutherland that focuses on criminal behavior being learned through association with others (Walsh, 559). The theory focuses on an individual’s life that could lead them to a life of crime.

There are many theories in the field of criminology that seek to explain the reasons behind why people commit crimes. Social process theory is one such theory and asserts that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others (Schmalleger, 2012). There are four types of social process theories including: social learning theory, social control theory, labeling theory, and dramaturgical perspective. This paper will explore two of the theories including social learning theory and social control theory. The paper will discuss social process theory and the history of its development, the theory’s importance to criminology, examples of

The social learning approach as explained in P1, suggests that learn new behaviours and information by observing other that are around them. This is also known as observational learning.

Movie Analysis Paid In Full is a narrative of an innocent young man who is lured into the world of crime. The film concentrates on Ace who works in a dead end job in Harlem. Ace’s associates introduce him to the drug trade, as he learns a new way of life. The film demonstrates the differential association theory, as Ace learns new values, attitudes and skills though his close friends that influence him to commit crime. Differential association is a theory that views crime as learned behavior.

Trying to understand why crime happens if a very important concept. Throughout history, criminologist have debated on which theory of crime is most accurate. Currently, social bond and social learning theory are two of the leading theories in the criminological world. Between these two theories there are a variety of differences and similarities. In addition to these theories Gottfredson and Hirschi have published a book where they use the concept of self control to describe crime. Analyzing these three theories can be important to understanding the current criminological world.

The social learning theory in criminology states that people learn by observing others, then attempt to replicate those behaviors they observed. These behaviors are learned through three different ways according to the social learning theory. The first says that people learn by observing others behaviors, and the rewards they receive by doing them. The second says that people learn from observing others behaviors and the punishment that follows. The third way says that people learn by observing others and receive no consequences for their actions. This paper will attempt to show the pros and cons of social learning theory in criminology, and how it relates to statistical data.

The social process theory suggests that criminals are raised in an environment that forms them to make unlawful decisions. People are influenced by what they are taught and their surroundings such as where they were raised, their guardians, and people they associated with. Individuals actions and thought process is going to be based off of what their first instinct is and their first instinct is going to be what they know best. For example, if a boy is raised in a home where their family shows their anger by reacting physically, then that child will be more likely the one that is getting in fights at school than the child who grew up in a home where fighting was never present. No one is born with the mind be

Differential Association theory was designed by Sutherland and Cressey (1960) which has a concept that mainly states criminal behavior is learned. The theory itself brings forward nine separate points that’s described what can lead to criminal behavior being learned. Some of those include; criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons, the setting is within intimate personal groups, techniques of committing the crime are learned, a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of the law. However the final point of this theory defines that while “criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those general needs and values since non-criminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values”

     Sutherland argued that the concept of differential association and differential social organization could be applied to the individual level and to the group level respectively. While differential association theory explains why any individual gravitates toward criminal behavior, differential social organization explains why crime rates of different social entities differ from each other's. In his fourth edition of Principles of Criminology he presented his final theory of differential association. His theory has 9 basic postulates:

In the 1940s, Edwin Sutherland developed the differential association theory. This theory contains nine propositions which include the ideology that criminal behavior is learned through social context within intimate peer groups. Within these peer groups, techniques of how to commit crimes, motivations to commit crimes, rationalization of their behaviors and attitudes towards the crimes they commit are skewed to be desensitized by the idea of getting in trouble. Another aspect of the nine

This criminological study will summarize the primary concepts related to Differential Association Theory (DAT) by Edwin H. Sutherland. Sutherland (1947) provides nine steps in which the criminal can learn a certain crime over a period of time. The foundation of DAT is based on the learning abilities of the criminal, which often involve being taught how to enact a crime. This aspect of learning is how the criminal begins to understand the depth of the crime being committed in a social and environmental setting. These complex learning periods provide the criminal with the necessary tools to enact the crime, yet it is primarily done with the support of a social group;. These social interactions are part of the criminal’s growing awareness of the legal codes and reward/punishment ratios of the crime being committed. In many ways, these needs and values are can be learned in a criminal and anti=criminal context. In previous editions of this book, Sutherland had defined some of the foundational elements of criminal behavior, but it was in the 4th edition that he outlined the nine steps of DAT in criminological studies. This development helped to further enhance Sutherland’s (1`947) understanding of learned behaviors in a sociological framework. These are the important aspects of Sutherland’s (1947) DAT that will be presented in this summary of criminal behavioral in The Principles of Criminology.