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:
A) Criminal behavior is learned.
Edwin Sutherland challenged the dominant belief at the time that criminal behavior was the result of biological or genetic factors. Prior to Sutherland’s theory, many criminologists believed that criminals were born with certain inherent traits that predisposed them to criminality. Sutherland’s work, particularly his theory of differential association, proposed that criminal behavior is not biologically determined but is learned through interactions with others.
According to Sutherland, individuals learn criminal behavior just as they learn any other type of behavior. This learning occurs through communication with others, particularly within close-knit groups like families, peer groups, or communities. The key point in his theory is that when individuals are exposed to more definitions favorable to criminal behavior than to those favorable to lawful behavior, they are more likely to engage in criminal actions.
This concept was revolutionary at the time because it shifted the focus from an individual’s inherent traits to the social environment and the relationships individuals form. It also suggested that criminality could be understood as a social process, not something that was intrinsic to certain individuals or social classes. Sutherland’s theory helped lay the foundation for later sociological theories that emphasize the role of socialization, peer influence, and community norms in shaping behavior.
By disputing the idea that criminal behavior was biologically based, Sutherland opened the door for more nuanced approaches to understanding crime, which included the impact of socioeconomic status, peer influence, and cultural norms on an individual’s likelihood of engaging in criminal acts. This view continues to influence contemporary criminology and criminal justice policies today.