Tarde’s Theory of Imitation

Developed by French sociologist Gabriel Tarde, this theory posits that criminal behavior is not inherited but learned through social interaction. Tarde proposed three Laws of Imitation:

  • Law of Close Contact: People imitate those they are in direct and frequent contact with (e.g., urban density increases crime).

  • Law of Superior by Inferior: Subordinates or "inferior" social classes tend to imitate the fashions and crimes of the "superior" or ruling classes.

  • Law of Insertion: New behaviors replace old ones, or are superimposed upon them (e.g., traditional theft evolving into sophisticated cyber-fraud).

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