surveillence cameras have caught prison inmates teaching other inmates how to disarm an officer. Apply Sutherland's Differental Association theory to the prison subculture.
How would i go about answering this?
http://www.d.umn.edu/~bmork/2306/Theories/BAMdiffassn.htm
To apply Sutherland's Differential Association theory to the prison subculture and explain the situation you mentioned, you can follow these steps:
1. Understand the Differential Association theory: Familiarize yourself with Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association theory, which states that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions and associations with others who engage in deviant behavior.
2. Analyze the prison subculture: Examine the unique culture and social structure that exists within prisons. Consider the power dynamics, the inmate hierarchy, and the various pressures and influences that shape behavior in this environment.
3. Identify the behavioral pattern: Based on the information provided, note the specific behavior captured by the surveillance cameras: prison inmates teaching other inmates how to disarm an officer. It is essential to understand that this behavior aligns with Sutherland's theory as it involves the transmission of deviant knowledge and skills within the prison subculture.
4. Evaluate the social interactions: Explore how inmates learn and acquire such skills within the prison environment. Consider factors such as peer influence, group dynamics, shared experiences, and the transmission of criminal techniques through interpersonal relationships.
5. Examine the direction and frequency of association: Analyze the extent to which inmates are exposed to individuals who possess knowledge on disarming officers. Determine if these associations are frequent, persistent, and reinforced within the prison subculture. This will help establish the likelihood of inmates adopting such deviant behavior.
6. Assess the norms and values of the prison subculture: Evaluate the prevailing norms, values, and subcultural beliefs within the prison environment. Consider whether the tactics used to disarm officers are seen as a highly valued skill or a way to gain social status within the inmate community.
7. Consider the role of environmental factors: Investigate how the prison environment itself may contribute to the transmission and reinforcement of deviant behavior. Factors to consider include overcrowding, lack of rehabilitation programs, staff-inmate relationships, and the influence of contraband within the prison system.
By following these steps, you will be able to apply Sutherland's Differential Association theory to the prison subculture and provide an explanation for the behavior captured by the surveillance cameras.