Differential identification

Differential identification

Differential identification is a criminological theory which states that crime and/or deviance develops when the individual identifies more with the deviant group than with conforming members of society. For example, older criminals would serve as role models for younger criminals. The individual learns skills from an existent criminal. This criminal can be either real or imaginary (such as a character from a movie), but is still affective in transferring the skills one would need to commit a crime.

See also

Daniel Glaser Differential opportunity