Question

George's older brother, Jake, is a member of a criminal gang. When George turned 12, Jake began paying him to act as a lookout while the gang committed household burglaries. By the time George was 16, he was a full member of the gang and was committing crimes on a regular basis. As an adult, George is a career criminal. Which concept best explains George's behavior?

A) Differential association theory.
B) Social disorganization theory.
C) Strain theory.
D) Labeling theory.

Answer 1

George's behavior is best explained by Differential association theory, which indicates that he learned criminal behavior through close interactions with his brother and the gang.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept that best explains George's behavior as a career criminal after having been influenced by his older brother and becoming involved in a criminal gang at a young age is A) Differential association theory. Developed by sociologist Edwin Sutherland,

differential association theory suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others, particularly those we are close to. The theory posits that individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior through interactions within intimate personal groups.

In George's case, his brother Jake provided a model for deviant behavior, which George learned and eventually normalized as part of his lifestyle.