What long-held belief regarding the causes of criminal behavior did Edwin Sutherland dispute?
A Criminal behavior is learned.
B Criminals are primarily created in the lower classes due to a feeling of inadequacy.
C Criminals are less likely to create strong bonds with their immediate family members despite their antisocial proclivities.
D Criminal behavior is a result of society labels.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B: Criminals are primarily created in the lower classes due to a feeling of inadequacy.
Edwin Sutherland, a renowned sociologist, challenged the long-standing belief that criminal behavior was predominantly the result of social and economic disadvantage, particularly in the lower classes. Before Sutherland, many criminologists argued that individuals in lower socio-economic groups were more likely to engage in criminal behavior because of feelings of inadequacy or because they lacked access to opportunities and resources. This perspective was rooted in a more deterministic view of criminal behavior, which suggested that certain social conditions could directly lead individuals to crime.
Sutherland’s theory, known as differential association theory, argued that criminal behavior is learned rather than biologically inherent or the result of socio-economic status alone. According to Sutherland, criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others. In these interactions, individuals learn the values, techniques, and motives for engaging in criminal activity. This theory emphasized the importance of social relationships, particularly peer groups, in shaping behavior. He proposed that individuals are more likely to engage in crime if they are exposed to a higher frequency of pro-criminal values than non-criminal values.
By disputing the notion that criminality was primarily tied to socio-economic class and feelings of inadequacy, Sutherland redirected attention to the social processes and interactions that influence criminal behavior. He also contributed to the understanding that crime could occur across all social strata, not just among the lower classes. This shift had a significant impact on criminology, encouraging scholars to focus more on the learning processes involved in criminal behavior and the role of social environments in shaping an individual’s actions.