What long-held belief regarding the causes of criminal behavior did Edwin Sutherland dispute?
Criminal behavior is learned.
Criminals are primarily created in the lower classes due to a feeling of inadequacy.
Criminals are less likely to create strong bonds with their immediate family members despite their antisocial proclivities.
Criminal behavior is a result of society labels.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: Criminal behavior is learned.
Edwin Sutherland, a prominent sociologist, challenged the traditional belief that criminal behavior is a result of inherent traits or biological factors. He proposed the theory of differential association, which argued that criminal behavior is not innate but learned through social interactions. According to Sutherland, individuals learn criminal behavior from others, particularly those with whom they associate most frequently.
Sutherland’s theory focused on the process by which people acquire criminal norms, values, and techniques through their relationships with others who condone or engage in criminal behavior. This learning occurs within intimate groups, such as family, peers, or communities. The theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is not necessarily a product of an individual’s social class or lack of opportunity but rather the result of exposure to criminal patterns of behavior and attitudes.
Sutherland rejected earlier theories that framed criminals as inherently different from law-abiding individuals or as being primarily from lower socio-economic classes. He argued that crime could be found across all classes and social structures, and that exposure to deviant behaviors could occur in any social environment, not just marginalized groups. His ideas revolutionized criminology by shifting the focus from biological or environmental determinism to a social learning process.
Through differential association theory, Sutherland also suggested that the frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of interactions with individuals who support criminal behavior are critical factors in whether someone engages in criminal activities. This perspective laid the groundwork for future research on how social interactions and cultural environments shape behavior, contributing significantly to the field of criminology.