Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
White Collar Crime, first published in 1949, is considered a groundbreaking work in criminology. In this study, Edwin H. Sutherland not only coined the term “white collar crime” but also expanded the definition of crime to include offenses committed by upper-class individuals in the context of their professional roles. He criticized the prevailing criminological focus
Theories in this category—often referred to as developmental theories—share the assumption that crime is best understood as a processual phenomenon, not as isolated acts. They introduce the variable of time as a crucial dimension for understanding why people become involved in crime, why they persist, and why they desist. Developmental perspectives emphasize that criminal behavior
Social Learning Theory explains criminal behavior as a learned process in which deviant actions are reinforced when their positive consequences outweigh those of normative, law-abiding behavior. Drawing on principles of operant conditioning and observational learning, this theory builds on and expands Sutherland’s differential association framework. Key Points Social Learning Theory Main Proponents: Ronald L. Akers,
Edwin H. Sutherland’s theory of differential association argues that criminal behavior is learned through social interaction. A person becomes delinquent when they are exposed to more definitions favorable to breaking the law than to definitions unfavorable to it. This approach moves away from ideas of biological determinism or individual pathology and emphasizes the social context