Major contribution

• How did DAT change views on criminal behaviour?

  • it shifted the focus from biological/personality explanations to social influences as the root of criminal behaviour
• What real-world implications does the theory have?

  • it suggests that crime rates can be reduced by changing learning environment (e.g. education, community programmes)
• What is white-collar crime, and how does it support DAT?

  • white collar crime = non-violent crimes by professionals (e.g. fraud, bribery)

  • Sutherland argued that even respectable individuals learn criminal behaviours through their social environment