Understanding Criminal Behavior Through Differential Association Theory: The Chowdhury Case Analysis
Criminal Case Summary
Criminal acts committed by individuals arise from various factors that influence people’s behaviors and ideas. Thus, by applying specific criminal theory, it is possible to analyze these acts and offer solutions. For instance, in Boston, MA, a man was determined guilty of offering to pay a contract killer $8,000 to kill his wife and her boyfriend (Associated Press, 2024).
The offender, Mohammed Chowdhury, was interacting with the undercover federal agent (Associated Press, 2024). He claimed that his wife would not let him interact with the children, which was another motive. He asked to rob and beat both victims to ensure that he would not be a suspect (Associated Press, 2024). As a result, the court viewed him as guilty of an intention to organize a murder.
Application of Criminological Theory
Analyzing the case, it is possible to apply a specific criminological theory to understand the situation better. Thus, the differential association theory can be utilized to investigate the event discussed above. The framework emphasizes that individuals acquire criminal behavior through exposure to pro-crime attitudes, values, and behaviors, as well as through specific socialization processes (Siegel, 2018).
Furthermore, it admits that a close association with criminals or attention to crimes might lead to a person’s criminality. In terms of Chowdhury’s case, the parts of the theory emphasizing the importance of pro-crime attitudes and the socialization process are essential (Siegel, 2018). The availability of information on how such crimes are organized, along with the complex criminological situation, led to the event.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
The relevant research articles also evidence the importance of the theory for understanding crimes. For instance, Boman et al. (2019) say that friendships with delinquents might be a cause of criminal behavior. This means that crimes can also be controlled by analyzing communities and their impact on the people living within them.
Furthermore, in his paper, Alduraywish (2021) says that deviant peers of friend groups are the central factors influencing crime. He admits that delinquent behaviors and criminal techniques are learned (Alduraywish, 2021). This can be done either through interactions or through exposure to materials containing information about these factors (Alduraywish, 2021). In this way, the two articles discussed are essential for applying differential association theory in practice and for designing possible solutions.
Case Solution
In this way, based on the case, the articles, and the theory, it is possible to propose community action to improve the situation. In accordance with the discussed framework, crime emerges when a person interacts with groups with criminal inclinations and behaviors, or when they acquire access to information on this topic. Under these conditions, community action would involve engaging with most groups of young delinquent individuals to change their views and cultivate prosocial behaviors. It would lead to several positive outcomes.
First, the overall situation within the community will improve. Prophylaxis is a potent method for preventing new crimes, and the incentive will be a powerful tool for achieving the desired outcome. Second, the quality of friendship influences the quality of future life (Boman et al., 2019). It means promoting prosocial behaviors; it is possible to establish the basis for a better future.
Additionally, many youth-related crimes can be prevented by eliminating the ways they are learned (Alduraywish, 2021). For this reason, the proposed activity might be a potent measure. Its implementation might help to reduce the number of criminals, such as Mohammed Chowdhury, and build a safer community.
References
Alduraywish, M. (2021). Juvenile delinquency and differential association theory. Advances in Applied Sociology, 11(8), 341-349.
Associated Press. (2024). Boston man pleads guilty to trying to hire hitman to kill wife and her boyfriend. NBC Boston.
Boman, J. H., Agnich, L., Miller, B. L., Stogner, J. M., & Mowen, T. J. (2019). The “other side of the fence”: A learning- and control-based investigation of the relationship between deviance and friendship quality. Deviant Behavior, 40(12), 1553–1573.
Siegel, L. (2018). Criminology: The Core (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
