Differential Association Theory versus Neoclassicism: Rational Choice Theory
The study of criminology involves many different theories in which people attempt to explain reasoning behind criminal behavior. Although there are many different theories the focus of this paper is the comparison and contrasting sides of The Differential Association Theory (DAT) of Edwin Sutherland and the Neoclassicism Rational Choice Theory. The Differential Theory falls under Social Process Theories which focuses on sociological perspective of crime. The Rational Choice Theory falls under Neoclassicism which believes that criminal behavior is ultimately a choice. Edwin Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory was written to explain individual criminality
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In other words our perception of things is our reality and reality is subjective. This theory also states that with what one individual would call a rational strategy there may be a negative or unwanted outcome. Not all people reach the same goals by the same methods or processes. When coming up with a plan we consider our upcoming actions with decreased knowledge, different mindsets, and reasoning abilities that are not the same as others. Rational choice theorist says that social emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety are feelings or thoughts that prevent us from doing things and giving in to our temptations. These social cues helps us to place boundaries on what is right and what is wrong and what the outcome of negative delinquent behaviors may be. Not everyone has the same idea of what behavior is rational versus …show more content…
Defensible space definition is a model for residential environments which inhibit crime by creating the physical expression of a social fabric that defends itself (Hemmens, C., Walsh, A., 2014 Pg. 128). The two theories focus on environment in different ways. DAT states that crime is a learned behavior just like anything else we learn, so if we are around delinquent acts we then commit the same acts as if there is no wrong doing regardless of the modifications to the
Differential association theory has a set of seven principles. Differential association theory says that criminal behavior is learned. By this, Sutherland intended for criminal behavior to be classified as a social-learning mechanism and can, therefore, be classified in the same manner as any other learned behavior such writing, talking, and walking (Siegel, 2012, p.237). Sutherland’s next point states that learning is a by-product of social interaction. Criminals learn by what they experience from exposure to the environment. Differential association theory views criminality not as something ingrained or as a result of socioeconomic conditions or physical characteristics but rather family, friends, and peers reflect the influence of the criminals. Differential association theory holds that the criminal techniques are the by-product of a person’s life interactions as well. The learned techniques vary from simple to extremely complex (Siegel, 2012, p.237). Some criminals begin this stage during childhood in which they meet up with mentors to learn to become successful criminals and to achieve the greatest reward for their efforts. These mentors teach the kids how to pick locks, shoplift, and how to obtain and use drugs. Another principle of differential association theory concludes that a person’s perceptions of the legal code influences motives and drives (Siegel, 2012, p. 237). This principle insinuates that criminals perceive the legal code as favorable or unfavorable. The legal codes do not fall into conformity among all citizens in a specified society and a person is almost certain to come across another person who views obeying the law differently.
Differential association theory was founded by Edwin H. Sutherland (Lilly, 2012, p. 43). This theory states that “any person will inevitably come into contact with definitions favorable to violation of the law and with definitions unfavorable to violation of the law” (Lilly, 2012, p. 44). Whichever definition is more prominent in a person’s mind, will lead to their decision of “whether the person embraces crime as an acceptable way of life” (Lilly, 2012, p. 44). Sutherland composed nine propositions that explained the theory. He explained that “crime is learned through the process of differential association” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). The nine propositions explained that “criminal behavior is learned” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). He explained that by communicating with others, especially those that are close to them they are more likely to pick up behaviors from those people. Differential association theory also explains that learning criminal behaviors “involves all the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). While learning a criminal behavior one not only learns “the techniques of committing the crime” but also the “specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes” involved with crime (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). This is theory is shown throughout the book when the young Mr. Moore was influenced by the life of crime that was present in his
Rational Choice Theory - Rational choice theory, as defined by the textbook, is "A perspective on crime causation that holds that criminality is the result of conscious choice. Rational choice theory predicts that individuals will choose to commit crime when the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs of disobeying the law" (Schmalleger 76). It is an economic principle that assumes that individuals always make prudent and logical decisions that provide them with the greatest benefits or satisfaction and that are in their highest self-interest. It should also be noted that most mainstream economic assumptions and theories are based on rational choice theory. According to the lawdictionary.org, rational choice theory "attempts to explain social phenomenon in terms of how self-interested individuals make choices under the influence of their preferences. All parties try to maximize their advantage, and to minimize their disadvantages" (lawdictionary.org). An example of rational choice theory would be a person stealing money from a company that they work for, with the intent of having the benefit of getting rich at no cost. The person believes that he or she will not get caught, thus not having to pay any costs, making it a rational decision or choice in their
The Rational Choice perspective is a theory that the choices individuals make are done in a logical manner were they weigh the benefits against the cost that could possible result. In other words, the self-interest should receive the maximum reward while the penalties would be minimum to none.
Edwin Sutherland’s differential association theory has influenced criminology in many ways by offering an explanation of deviant behavior that is unlawful. However, there are some critics who argue his theory, nevertheless, it is still being used today. Within this research paper, a study of his work was performed utilizing peer and scholarly reviewed reference material. The findings will demonstrate how your environment and the choices you make influence behavior and how behavior is learned according to Edwin Sutherland’s theory. In addition, the arguments of the theory will be addressed. Furthermore, issues that require future examination are explored as well as programs that can be implemented for troubled individuals to deter crime in relation to differential association based on Edwin Sutherland’s theory.
The heuristics and biases research towards human rationality expresses that humans are not rational because completely arbitrary factors influence an individual’s reasoning. Humans are unable to avoid a significant flaw in the rationality system which is known as invisible contamination. This exists as a problem because arbitrary or irrational factors influence human reasoning without the possibility of
In this paper, I am going to going to examine the criminological theory of Differential Association theory by Edwin H. Sutherland. Also I am going to examine Kirk White from the film The Wild and Wonderful World of the Whites of West Virginia. Furthermore, I am going to apply Edwin H. Sutherland’s Differential Association theory to explain and understand the deviant actions of this character. I conclude that Differential association theory will explain why this character act in a deviant why.
There are six basic propositions of the rational choice: 1. Crimes are deliberate acts, with the intent of benefiting the offender. 2. Benefiting unsuccessfully in choosing the best decisions because of the risks and uncertainty involved. 3. Decision making significantly varies with the nature of the crime. 4. Involvement decisions are quite different from the commission (event decision) of a specific act. 5. Involvement decisions are divided into three stages: first time involvement (initiation), continued involvement (habituation) and ceasing to offend (desistance), 6. Event decisions include a sequence of choices made at each stage of the criminal act, involvement model,
While no theory explains criminality every time, Sutherland 's research has revolutionized sociological and criminological thinking. Sutherland disagreed with the notion that individuals became criminals due to psychological and economic factors. Instead, he claimed that individuals learned criminal behavior and the rationalizations for it through communication. Sykes and Matza expanded on this in "Techniques of Neutralization". Sutherland and Cressey, and Benson explored how white-collar criminals rationalize their misbehavior and why they often seem unrestrained by the law. Sutherland 's differential association theory provides a consistent and thorough explanation for general and white-collar criminality; numerous theorists have supported
When people commit crime, some of those people understand that consequences come along the way. They understand the means, ends and cost of their actions, the benefits that come for committing a crime. In criminology, rational choice theory plays a role when people commit crime. People will act in their self-interest and make choices to commit crime after weighing the potential risks against the rewards. In two different articles, it will demonstrate how rational choice theory comes into play, as for the second one, why this theory would not work in this particular crime.
The first criminological theory, that explains behavior of the drug sellers, is the theory of Differential Association. Differential Association, termed by Edwin Sutherland, argued that persons engage in delinquent behavior because they learn it from society and they engage in it when it benefits them. By this, he is saying that an individual will be a criminal if they experience an excess of criminal definitions over conventional definitions. Sutherland discovered that Differential Association is developed through various stages and he explains such development with the use of nine propositions. (Lily et al. 2011, 48) Such propositions are as follows: (1) criminal behavior is learned, (2) it...
Chapter 3, pages 65-68 of Cultural Criminology discusses the two approaches to crime dominate orthodox criminological theory: rational choice theory and positivism – the first stressing the mundane, the second the measurable (e.g. Felson, 1998). According to rational choice theory, crime occurs when there is access of opportunity and low levels of social control. Rational rather than emotional attempts are taken to distance crime from social injustices and structural inequalities. Secondly, sociological positivism believes the following are responsible measures for criminal behaviors, lack of work, inequality, lack of social capital, and community breakdown.
Rational choice theory, developed by Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish in 1985, is a revival of Cesare Becca...
Rational Choice theory says that criminal behavior is not only a response to social pressures and upbringing, but it is also a choice. The offender’s choices may not always be rational and may draw on previously established beliefs about their opportunities to commit acts of violence. This theory focuses on the effectiveness of interventions to decide how to best reduce the benefits of crime and increase the cost of criminal action. Rational Choice theory is in the classical school, which is based on the idea that individuals choose to engage in crime (Gosselin, pp. 67-68, 2014).
The first problem with the theory has to do with explaining collective action. Rational choice theory does address behaviors that are selfless, altruistic, or philanthropic. Related to the first problem just discussed, the second problem with rational choice theory, according to its critics, has to do with social norms (Bruce, 1999). This theory does not explain why some people seem to accept and follow social norms of behavior that lead them to act in selfless ways or to feel a sense of obligation that overrides their self-interest. The third argument against rational choice theory is that it is too individualistic. According to critics of individualistic theories, they fail to explain and take proper account of the existence of larger social structures. That is, there must be social structures that cannot be reduced to the actions of individuals and therefore have to be explained in different