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 pioneering sociologist, is most famous for his theory of differential association, which asserts that criminal behavior is learned rather than inherent. Prior to Sutherland’s work, many criminologists believed that criminal behavior was the result of biological factors or that criminals were primarily from lower socioeconomic classes due to a feeling of inadequacy or deprivation. This view suggested that economic hardship or social status directly led to crime.
Sutherland challenged this perspective by arguing that criminal behavior is not determined by class or background but is instead learned through interactions with others. According to his theory, individuals learn criminal behavior in the same way they learn other behaviors—by associating with people who promote deviant values and actions. This learning process occurs through communication and interaction within social groups, where individuals adopt values, techniques, and motives associated with criminal activity.
Sutherland’s theory shifted the focus away from individual characteristics or social class as the primary causes of criminal behavior. Instead, it emphasized the role of social interactions and peer influence. This approach highlighted the importance of social context in the development of criminal tendencies. The theory was revolutionary because it suggested that crime could be learned in any social group, whether it was from the lower or upper classes.
In short, Sutherland disputed the idea that criminals are primarily created by their socioeconomic background or feelings of inadequacy. Instead, he proposed that criminal behavior is a product of learned associations within social environments.