Gabriel Tarde proposed which theory asserting that individuals learn deviant behaviors by imitating others, especially those they admire?

Gabriel Tarde proposed which theory asserting that individuals learn deviant behaviors by imitating others, especially those they admire?

• A. The Laws of Imitation
• B. Neutralization Theory
• C. Social Bond Theory
• D. Differential Opportunity

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that deviant behavior can spread through imitation, especially when people admire the ones they imitate. Gabriel Tarde argued that individuals learn how to act by observing and copying others, so seeing admired individuals engage in certain behaviors makes those behaviors more likely to be adopted. This direct emphasis on learning through imitation is captured in The Laws of Imitation, the theory named for this idea. Neutralization Theory explains how offenders justify their actions after the fact, not how they learn those actions. Social Bond Theory focuses on how attachments and commitments keep people from delinquency, rather than on copying behavior. Differential Opportunity looks at how unequal access to legitimate and illegitimate means influences crime opportunities, not the imitation process. The Laws of Imitation uniquely pinpoints imitation as the mechanism by which deviance spreads.

The main idea here is that deviant behavior can spread through imitation, especially when people admire the ones they imitate. Gabriel Tarde argued that individuals learn how to act by observing and copying others, so seeing admired individuals engage in certain behaviors makes those behaviors more likely to be adopted. This direct emphasis on learning through imitation is captured in The Laws of Imitation, the theory named for this idea.

Neutralization Theory explains how offenders justify their actions after the fact, not how they learn those actions. Social Bond Theory focuses on how attachments and commitments keep people from delinquency, rather than on copying behavior. Differential Opportunity looks at how unequal access to legitimate and illegitimate means influences crime opportunities, not the imitation process. The Laws of Imitation uniquely pinpoints imitation as the mechanism by which deviance spreads.