The parents of a deviant child often want to find some way to excuse their offspring's behavior, and it's common to hear them say, "He just fell in with a bad crowd." Which symbolic interactionist theory of deviance does this explanation most closely resemble?
A) differential association
B) labeling theory
C) self-fulfilling prophecy
D) structural strain theory
E) in-group orientation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The explanation given by the parents suggests that their child's deviant behavior is a result of being influenced by a group of people who engage in deviant activities. This aligns with the differential association theory, which suggests that individuals learn deviant behavior through their interactions with others who engage in such behavior.

The Parents of a Deviant Child Often Want to Find