But the use of “needs” and “values” is equivocal. If a person is hungry but has no money, there is a temptation to steal. This does not deny that there may be practical motives for crime. The earlier in life an individual comes under the influence high status people within a group, the more likely the individual is to follow in their footsteps. This tendency will be reinforced if social association provides active people in the person’s life. This theory focuses on how individuals learn to become criminals, but it does not concern itself with why they become criminals.ĭifferential association predicts that an individual will choose the criminal path when the balance of definitions for law-breaking exceeds those for law-abiding. Differential association theory is the most talked-about of the learning theories of deviance.

In criminology, differential association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland (1883–1950) proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.

differential association: a theory in criminology developed by Edwin Sutherland, proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.

Differential Association Theory: This theory predicts that an individual will choose the criminal path when the balance of definitions for law-breaking exceeds those for law-abiding.

He was a sociologist of the symbolic interactionist school of thought and is best known for defining white-collar crime and differential association-a general theory of crime and delinquency.

Edwin Sutherland: Considered as one of the most influential criminologists of the 20th century.

“Social Learning Theory and Crime.” International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. “The Current State of Differential Association Theory.” Crime & Delinquency, vol. “Sutherland, Edwin H.: Differential Association Theory and Differential Social Organization.” Encyclopedia of Criminological Theory, edited by Francis T.

“Edwin Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory Explained.” Health Research Funding.

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“Differential Association Theory.” LibreTexts: Social Science, 23 May, 2019.

“The Theory of Differential Association: An Introduction.” Social Problems, vol.

Criminal behavior could be an expression of generalized needs and values, but they don’t explain the behavior because non-criminal behavior expresses the same needs and values.

The process of learning criminal behaviors through interactions with others relies on the same mechanisms that are used in learning about any other behavior.

They can vary in frequency, intensity, priority, and duration.

All differential associations aren’t equal.

When the number of favorable interpretations that support violating the law outweigh the unfavorable interpretations that don’t, an individual will choose to become a criminal.The direction of motives and drives towards criminal behavior is learned through the interpretation of legal codes in one’s geographical area as favorable or unfavorable.The process of learning criminal behavior may include learning about techniques to carry out the behavior as well as the motives and rationalizations that would justify criminal activity and the attitudes necessary to orient an individual towards such activity.Most learning about criminal behavior happens in intimate personal groups and relationships.Criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others via a process of communication.

Edwin sutherland criminology