Media and the Differential Association Theory

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The differential association theory by Edwin H. Sutherland, explains why some members of a community become criminals and some do not. This theory is divided into eight principles that outline the reasoning for illicit conducts. In the movie Ocean Elevens, this theory really showcases each of the elements in which crime is fostered through the many characters. In the following paragraphs, I intend on explaining three of the eight differential association’s theory principles and apply them to Ocean’s Eleven.
The fourth principle in Sutherland’s differential association theory states, when criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes (a) techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple; (b) the motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes to justify criminal actions. A great example of this principle would be: a high school student must learn from a peer on how to roll and smoke a marijuana joint in order to get the desirable high and then he must explain his reasoning for smoking the joint. In the movie, Danny Ocean teaches a...

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