Question

Using the ideas of Differential Association Theory, create an example of a person who belongs to two different groups. In one group, the person is ‘encouraged’ to engage in deviant or criminal behavior, whereas in the second group that same behavior is ‘discouraged’. Show how through these interactions, the person defines the behavior differently based on the group they are participating in at the time. This could be a ‘real’ or a ‘fictional’ example.

Answer 1

Using the ideas of Different Association Theory we can notice the effects of a specific group and the group discussions on a person who is quite eager to commit crimes. It is said that the surrounding really matters if the discussion regarding violation of rules be the main topic for discussion in a group rather than avoiding such things like law-breaking action, then a person who is criminal minded can be triggered by this and it depends on the person's own perspective as well if he really wants to hang out with those people or not. Basically these people give importance to needs instead of prioritizing the values and they feel to get a special position in the society they need to take some illgal actions. Critics often said that if somebody choose to do such things then most probably something is wrong with him/her only, a group of people can't inject any idea in someone's head unless he/she is planning to do this beforehand. It depends on choosing your friend circle as well if they are also interested in doing something wrong then the "influence" factor works, In this case if the person is encouraged by a group of people then it can be that group specifically practice such crimes so they don't feel uncomfortable with it but the other group discourage that person because they somehow have moral values but that person don't really listen to them. It's an most discussed topic of learning theory though it has more positive approach but such people due to their personal problems, family problems enter into it and their motives, rationalization force them to do these things.