Sutherland's Differential Association theory
and , Merton's Anomie theory
11Introduction
Before Sutherland developed his discriminatory related theory, criminology was dominated
by the views of physicians and psychiatrists seeking explanations of criminal behavior in
purely biological and ...
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Sutherland's Differential Association theory and , Merton's Anomie theory.
11Introduction
Before Sutherland developed his discriminatory related theory, criminology was dominated
by the views of physicians and psychiatrists seeking explanations of criminal behavior in
purely biological and psychological abnormalities. Biological and psychological explanations
of crime are increasingly unpopular because Sutherland's theory believes that crime is the
result of environmental influences on people who are biologically and mentally normal.
Sutherland created a general theory of criminal behavior by arguing that behavior is learned in
a social environment. In fact, all behaviors are learned in the same way to some extent. The
main difference between compliance (observance of the law) and criminal conduct is what is
learned, not how it is learned. Sutherland's contribution is considered one of the most
influential theories for criminal activity. Other other hand The maximum crucial model of
pressure concept is Robert Merton’s principle of anomie. Merton carried out the idea of
anomie, which turned into first utilized by the French sociologist Emil Durkheim, to society.
‘‘Anomie’’ describes normlessness as a circumstance of social malaise that takes place while
the prevailing social shape can not workout manage over the individual’s wishes and desires.
Merton’s revised model of the idea of anomie is seemed as one of the maximum long lasting
theoretical principles of twentieth century social thought.
1.2Definitions of concept for the two theories
Sutherland's Differential Association theory
his differential association theory Edwin Sutherland proposes that criminal behaviour is
learned. A person will be delinquent if there are prior attitudes that favour violations of the law,
as opposed to attitudes that negatively evaluate violations Edwin Sutherland’s theory of
differential association assumes that criminal behavior is learned through contact with
individuals who are themselves criminal.It is therefore also called the “theory of differential
contacts”. The term “association”, however, refines this idea by the realization that it is not
sufficient to merely contact criminal persons, but that during these contacts the criminal
definitions and attitudes must also be successfully conveyed.
The basic thesis here is that criminal behaviour is learned when more attitudes are learned
that favour violations of the law than those that negatively evaluate violations of the law.
Conversely, learning criminal attitudes, motives and definitions becomes all the more likely
the more contact there is with people and groups who violate the law and the less contact
there is with people and groups who live according to the rules.In simple terms, one could say
that contact with criminals leads to one’s own criminal behaviour by learning the
corresponding behaviour in a model manner.
Criminal behaviour is learned in interaction with other persons in a communication process.
The learning processes take place primarily in small and intimate groups (and thus less
through (mass) media, for example).The learning of criminal behaviour includes the learning
of techniques to commit a crime as well as specific motives, rationalisations and attitudes
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