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An individual with the profile of Ted Bundy may be more likely to watch pornography and slasher films, but the films do not cause the criminal behavior. They might shape some of the more lurid details of the crime, such as the ritualistic aspects of his behavior, but eliminating pornography will not eliminate rapes and murders. Laboratory research indicates a slight tendency that pornography can "predispose some males to desire rape or intensify this desire and undermine some males' internal and social inhibitions against acting out rape desires" although it is very difficult to measures such affects in artificial laboratory settings (Jensen 2004, p.4).
Eliminating all restrictions on pornography would not just be controversial, but also problematic, given that some legal oversight of the industry is necessary to prevent the exploitation of children in child pornography. Additionally, pornography is not allowed near schools, to limit children's exposure. However, other than limiting the venue, because of the Internet, the public has unfettered access to pornography as never before, at younger and younger ages. It clearly has a shaping role in how we view the body and sexuality in general, even if may not be the primary cause of violence against women. Pornography and other violent media like slasher films (especially highly sexualized slasher films) can reinforce if not cause a male-dominant view of sexuality; be used to intimidate violent male's victims and break down their resistance to unwanted sexual activity by normalizing violent sexuality, and "provide a training manual for abusers" (Jensen 2004, p.4).
Question 3: Examine and explain Sutherlands and Cressey's theory of differential association. Think of situations in which you or those you know have been influenced but other people to break the law. This could involve learning to copy computer software or use illegal drugs. Can differential association explain these actions?
Sutherlands and Cressey's theory of differential association postulates that criminal behavior is learned behavior and is rooted in the perception that 'everyone is doing it so it must be okay' (Hamlin 2006). Teen drinking is a good...
Teens also 'learn the behavior,' often in ways that make it more harmful than adult drinking. Teens may binge drink, drink less watered-down alcohol, drink in situations where high levels of consumption vs. taste are emphasized, and also experience a great deal of social reinforcement to do so with minimal consequences. The same may be true of using illegal drugs, abusing prescription drugs, or selling illegal drugs, even if this activity is less socially condoned. Using drugs becomes part of a culture where approval from one's friends is contingent upon using the substance. The drugs may be rationalized along the lines of: 'oh pot isn't so bad,' or 'well, some people really are prescribed Adderall' and these rationales are reinforced by one's friends.
Other forms of common illegal behavior may not perfectly fit the differentiation association model. Music downloading and software downloading is often done alone. The confusing nature of what consists of legal and illegal activity online, which is still being sorted out by the court system could conceivably result in a 'little old lady' downloading software, for example, without clearly understanding she was breaking the law, and with little social reinforcement from a peer group.
Works Cited
Criminology theory summaries. Criminal justice 301. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.uwec.edu/patchinj/crmj301/theorysummaries.pdf
Forelle, Charles. (2009, April 15). The snap judgment on crime and unemployment. The Wall
Street Journal Online Edition. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.comcast.net/articles/finance/20090415/SB123974939828118493/
Jensen, Robert J. (2004, July). Pornography and sexual violence. Applied Research Forum
National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.vadv.org/secPublications/pandsv.pdf
Hamlin, John. (2006, March). Differential association theory. Sociological Theories of Deviance.
Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.d.umn.edu/~jhamlin1/sutherland.html
Works Cited
Criminology theory summaries. Criminal justice 301. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.uwec.edu/patchinj/crmj301/theorysummaries.pdf
Forelle, Charles. (2009, April 15). The snap judgment on crime and unemployment. The Wall
Street Journal Online Edition. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.comcast.net/articles/finance/20090415/SB123974939828118493/
Jensen, Robert J. (2004, July). Pornography and sexual violence. Applied Research Forum
National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women. Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.vadv.org/secPublications/pandsv.pdf
Retrieved April 23, 2009 at http://www.d.umn.edu/~jhamlin1/sutherland.html
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