Nowhere to Grow by Les Whitbeck and Dan Hoyt explored the lives of homeless and runaway teens in the Midwest. The authors found that "associating with deviant peers" had a dramatic effect on a wide range of deviant behaviors, including increasing "the likelihood of serious substance abuse almost 32 times." What theory of deviance considers the way such interpersonal relationships help to predict deviant behavior?
A) self-fulfilling prophecy
B) deviance avowal
C) retreatism
D) differential association
E) labeling theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The theory of differential association, developed by Edwin Sutherland, suggests that people learn deviant behaviors through their interpersonal relationships, particularly with deviant peers. This theory also posits that the content of these relationships determines the direction of learning, with more frequent and intense association with deviant peers increasing the likelihood of deviant behavior. The findings of Whitbeck and Hoyt support this theory, as they found that associating with deviant peers was strongly linked to a wide range of deviant behaviors, including substance abuse.

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