Edwin Sutherland: Differential Association

Deviance, Crime, and Social Control SOCI 1306 Edwin Sutherland: Differential Association Sociologist Edwin Sutherland tried to figure out how individuals came to engage in aberrant behaviour around the beginning of the 20th century. He based his results on a variety of sociological concepts, such as the importance of social interactions and group learning processes, as criminology was still a developing subject (Laub 2006). The differential association theory—a ground-breaking idea that proposes people pick up deviant behaviour through contacts with close friends who serve as both opportunities and role models for deviance—was developed as a result of Sutherland's study. Sutherland contends that deviation is more a product of uneven socialisation processes than it is of free will. Because of the impact of their peer group, a young person who has sexually active friends is more likely to develop a similar perspective on sexual activity and believe it to be appropriate. Sutherland painstakingly crafted a number of theories to clarify the processes by which deviance is acquired. In his fifth claim, he talked about how people accept and participate in particular behaviours after finding out if those behaviours are seen as "favourable" by the people in their immediate social circle. This claim emphasises how crucial social acceptance is to the acceptance of abnormal behaviour. In his sixth claim, Sutherland expanded on the notion that engaging in deviant behaviour might result from being exposed to more "definitions" that support deviant behaviour than those that oppose it. This idea gives the learning process a nearly quantitative component by implying that an individual's exposure to a certain defining balance may cause them to lean towards deviation. When a large proportion of their friends participate in sexual activities, for instance, a young person may think it more acceptable to do so instead of being swayed by the actions of a single buddy. Sutherland's idea offers a convincing justification for why crime is an intergenerational problem. Todd and Jury (1996) conducted a longitudinal research that started in the 1960s and discovered that the most reliable indicator of antisocial and criminal behaviour in children was whether or not their parents had been convicted of a crime. According to this study, children who were younger than ten years old when their parents were convicted had a higher likelihood than their peers of being involved in criminal activity and marital abuse by the time they were in their early thirties. Researchers discovered that parental influence remained the dominant factor influencing their offspring's behaviour even after controlling for socioeconomic issues such living in unsafe neighbourhoods, attending subpar schools, and living in cramped housing (Todd and Jury 1996). Sutherland's differential association theory has ramifications for crime and deviance tendencies in society that go beyond specific instances. The theory indicates that treatments aiming at reducing deviant behaviour should concentrate on changing the social contexts and interactions that individuals are exposed to. It does this by highlighting the importance of socialisation and the transmission of values within groups. The effect of deviant peer groups can be mitigated, for example, by community programmes that offer chances for pro-social activities and good role models. The acquisition of aberrant behaviours can also be stopped by educational programmes that give young people the capacity to resist peer pressure and think critically. Furthermore, Sutherland's thesis emphasises how critical it is to address the underlying factors that contribute to crime, such as social disarray, poverty, and illiteracy. Reducing the incidence of deviant behaviour becomes achievable via changing the general social conditions in which people live. For instance, ensuring that people have access to good schools, secure homes, and career possibilities can aid in ending the cycle of crime that frequently continues throughout generations. Furthermore, family support networks like parenting classes and counselling help improve family ties and lessen the chance that kids will take up bad habits. There are important ramifications for the criminal justice system from the differential association theory as well. Given that deviance is acquired through social interactions, it is possible that crime cannot be effectively reduced by punitive measures alone. Rehab programmes that, on the other hand, concentrate on transforming people's social settings and giving them new, positive connections may be more effective in reducing recidivism. For example, programmes that provide ex-offenders with education, support networks, and vocational training can aid in their reintegration into society and prevent them from engaging in criminal activity again. Sutherland's theory also emphasises how social networks contribute to the propagation of abnormal behaviour. The impact of social media and online communities in modern culture gives this dynamic a new facet. Individuals can be impacted by larger virtual communities they interact with, just as they might pick up aberrant behaviour from those in their small social circles. According to this updated version of Sutherland's thesis, attempts to prevent deviance should now take into account the effects of online interactions and the media that people are exposed to on digital platforms. To sum up, Edwin Sutherland's differential association theory offers a thorough framework for comprehending how aberrant behaviour develops. Through the theory's emphasis on socialisation and the power of group dynamics, it clarifies how people interact with others and end up adopting aberrant behaviours. The ideas of the theory provide light on the processes by which deviation is learned and emphasise the significance of social acceptance and exposure to positive definitions of deviant behaviour. Sutherland's research has important ramifications for understanding how social networks contribute to the spread of deviant behaviour, addressing the underlying causes of crime, and creating successful remedies. It is feasible to create more potent methods for stopping and lessening deviant behaviour in society by concentrating on the social contexts and interactions that influence people's behaviour.