Differential Association Theory And Criminal Behavior

Differential association theory is has the viewpoint that criminal behaviour is learned through the individuals you choose to associate with (“Differential Association Theory”, 2002). There are individuals who find that taking part in crime is favorable and there are also individuals who have the viewpoint that taking part in crime in unfavorable (“Differential Association Theory”, 2002). Sutherland (1939) concluded that individuals would take part in crime when they gain more benefit in breaking the law rather than adhering to it (as cited in Pozzulo, Bennell & Forth, 2015, p.8). There are nine different factors that play a role in the differential association theory (Siegel, Brown & Hoffman, 2013, p. 139). All of these nine factors can be applied to Fujiis
The first relationship was with Peter Brown, the man she met at the LRT station (hearld). After the relationship with Brown hit rock bottom, she developed another initiate relationship (healrd). During this time she would leave her children in hotel rooms while she went out to party and use drugs with her friends (Calgaryheald). It is clear that Fijii learned this behaviour from her current male counter part and that he played an influential part in her life when it came to taking part in deviant behaviour on a daily basis. The fourth principle in Sutherland’s (1947) differential association theory is that individuals learn how to successfully commit crime by “assimilating the techniques of committing crime, including motives, drives, rationalizations and attitudes” (as cited in Siegel et al., 2013, p. 139). In Fujiis situation her friends would have taught her how to leave her how to survive on the streets. She lived on the streets and in homeless shelters for a part of her life so it is appropriate to assume that she took part in petty crimes. Her close friends would have taught her how to successfully perform these criminal