The Language of Set Theory and Differential Association

Abstract

The preceding article by Professors De Fleur and Quinney goes beyond mere coding of the verbal statements contained in the theory of differential association. It reveals hitherto unexpressed relationships in the theory and also shows how Sutherland's propositions are linked with more general sociological and social psychological principles. Further, the article demonstrates that "the theory" of differential association consists of all its first six propositions, and the section on empirical verification shows the tremendous number of hypotheses the theory generates. The work points the way to the ordering of criminological data and to the computerizing of criminological research.