Critically evaluate the application of Edwin Sutherlands theory of Essay

Critically evaluate the application of Edwin Sutherlands theory of differential association to contemporary criminology - Essay Example ural amalgamation and incorporation came into being, and the crime rate also got its place along with the growth of civilisation with an upward trend and increase. With the passage to time, methods of protecting the society from criminal assaults were taken into consideration. Human societies established political authorities, which introduced laws and rules for keeping the societies in perfect order on the one hand, and for protecting the people from criminal assaults and harms on the other. Hence, boundaries lines were drawn between normal and criminal behaviour. â€Å"The vast majority of the rules†, Sutherland & Cressey state, â€Å"which define certain behaviour as criminal are found in constitutions, treaties, common law, enactments by the legislators of the state and its subdivisions, and in judicial and administrative regulations.† (1970, p. 5) Researches were conducted and theories were articulated in order to discover the real reasons and motives behind committing of crime and getting involved into perversion and deviant behaviour. Nature-nurture theories appeared for further debate and discussion on the topic of the reasons behind people’s getting involved into criminal activities and delinquent behaviour. Some of the theorists believed that innate characteristics are dominant in personality traits, which determine the future behaviour of the individuals. â€Å"Concrete behavioural traits,† Pinker submits, â€Å"reflects the underlying talents and temperaments—how proficient with language a person is, how religious, liberal or conservative—are partially heritable.† (2004, p. 5) On the other hand, another school of thought vehemently declared crime as a learned behaviour. According to this school of thought man is born with pure heart and mind, and it is social environment that spoils a nd detracts the individuals from the right track. Sutherland insisted on the theory that crime is absolutely a learned behaviour, and people learn and adopt criminal