Discussion Questions
Discussion 1:
In your readings this week, Chapter 37: Social Learning Theory explains how theorists such as Edwin Sutherland believed crime is a result of learning behaviors associated with criminal activity. As a result, Sutherland developed the Differential Association Theory that includes 9 Principles of Differential Association to support his findings. Choose one of the 9 Principles of Differential Association that you agree with and explain why.
Discussion 2:
After reading the three Scenarios in Module 2, answer the following questions:
Of all of the kinds of crimes describe in these three scenarios, which crime do you believe would be the easiest to prevent? In what ways could that crime be most effectively prevented? Explain your thinking, making sure to explain the theory that you believe accounts for this kind of criminal activity and thus why it would be relatively easy to prevent.
Of all of the theories we have learned about, which theory do you believe has the most value overall in explaining the concept of crime?