Causes of Crime According to Edwin Sutherland
Introduction
Crime has been a persistent phenomenon throughout human history, with numerous theories attempting to explain its origins and underlying causes. Among the most influential criminologists in this domain is Edwin H. Sutherland, who developed the Differential Association Theory, a groundbreaking approach to understanding criminal behavior. Sutherland’s work shifted the focus from biological and psychological explanations to social and environmental factors. His theory posits that crime is learned through interaction with others in a social context, emphasizing the role of communication, peer influence, and exposure to deviant values. This paper explores the causes of crime according to Sutherland’s framework, analyzing the key tenets of his theory and its implications for criminology.
Theoretical Foundations of Differential Association
Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory emerged in response to the limitations of earlier criminological theories that predominantly attributed crime to individual pathology, heredity, or psychological abnormalities. Instead, Sutherland proposed that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with intimate social groups, where individuals acquire techniques, motivations, and rationalizations for committing crimes.
Core Principles of the Theory
The theory is built on several core principles:
- Criminal behavior is learned: Crime is not an innate characteristic but is acquired through socialization and communication.
- Learning occurs through interaction with others: Individuals engage with family members, peers, and other social agents who influence their understanding of norms, values, and behaviors.
- The process includes techniques and motivations: Criminal learning involves both the practical methods of committing crimes and the justifications or rationalizations that support criminal activity.
- Differential exposure to norms determines behavior: A person becomes delinquent when they are exposed to an excess of definitions favorable to lawbreaking compared to those that discourage it.
- Learning criminal behavior follows the same mechanisms as any other learning process: Sutherland argued that crime is learned similarly to other social behaviors, such as language or work skills.
- Associations vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity: The influence of criminal associations depends on how often they occur, how long they last, their importance to the individual, and the emotional significance attached to them.
Causes of Crime According to Sutherland
Socialization and Peer Influence
Sutherland’s theory underscores the role of socialization in shaping criminal behavior. He argued that individuals who frequently associate with deviant groups are more likely to adopt criminal tendencies. This explains why crime often runs in families, neighborhoods, and peer groups. If a person’s closest associates engage in illegal activities, they are more likely to internalize those behaviors as acceptable.
Cultural and Subcultural Influences
Culture plays a significant role in the learning process. Subcultures that value violence, dishonesty, or rule-breaking create an environment where criminal behavior is normalized. For example, gang culture in certain urban areas fosters loyalty to criminal codes, encouraging youth to engage in theft, drug trade, or violent acts as a means of survival or social status.
Economic and Structural Factors
While Sutherland’s theory focuses on social learning rather than economic deprivation, it indirectly acknowledges the impact of socioeconomic conditions. Individuals in disadvantaged communities often encounter more criminal role models and fewer legitimate opportunities, leading them to view crime as a viable means to achieve success. The absence of strong legal and educational structures further exacerbates this cycle.
Family and Early Childhood Experiences
Family dynamics play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. If children grow up in households where criminal activity is prevalent, they may learn to view such behavior as acceptable. Inconsistent discipline, parental neglect, or exposure to domestic violence can further contribute to delinquency.
Media and Technological Influence
Although Sutherland did not address media influence directly, modern applications of his theory suggest that exposure to crime through media, television, and the internet can function similarly to personal interactions. Repeated exposure to criminal behaviors in digital spaces may reinforce criminal attitudes and rationalizations, especially among impressionable individuals.
Criticism and Limitations of Sutherland’s Theory
Despite its significant contributions, Differential Association Theory is not without criticism. One major critique is its failure to explain why individuals in the same social environments respond differently—some engage in crime while others do not. Additionally, the theory does not account for spontaneous crimes committed without prior learning, nor does it explain criminal acts driven by mental illness or impulse rather than social influence.
Modern Applications and Relevance
Sutherland’s insights continue to influence criminological research and policy. Modern interpretations of his theory incorporate digital communication and online socialization as new avenues for learning criminal behavior. Moreover, programs focused on mentorship, education, and community engagement seek to counteract criminal associations by providing alternative social influences.
Conclusion
Edwin Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory remains one of the most influential frameworks for understanding crime. By emphasizing socialization and learning processes, it shifts the focus from individual pathology to environmental and cultural factors. While the theory has limitations, its core principles continue to inform crime prevention strategies and policies aimed at reducing criminal behavior. Addressing crime, therefore, requires efforts to disrupt criminal learning pathways by fostering positive social interactions, strengthening communities, and providing opportunities for lawful success.
