SOC 2700 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Differential Association, Social Learning Theory, Symbolic Interactionism

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 2700
• Professor: Stephanie Howells

Document Summary

Based on ecological & cultural transmission theory, symbolic interactionism, and cultural conflict theory. Differential association people have different social situations and therefore learn different things. It is a product of the social environment and values gained rom important others in that social environment: learning occurs in social situations, cultural material is learned, material is product of social environment. Mere association with criminals does not cause criminal behavior: about our excess of definitions. Some social groups possess pro-criminal traditions; other anti-criminal traditions. Type of tradition is passed down through generations. But why does it vary from individual to individual: answer: 9 propositions. Social services (aa, non-deviant to deviant associations must be increased: how? reduces access to deviants psychiatrists, counsellors) promote associations with non- deviant individuals. Criticized sutherland on two fronts: no room in differential association for decision making on part of individual, co(cid:374)s(cid:272)ious (cid:272)hoi(cid:272)e to asso(cid:272)iate (cid:449)ith (cid:862)good people(cid:863, felt sutherland over-emphasized family influences, media and peer group are highly influential.