Sutherland Differential Association

• Differential Association Theory:

  • Sutherland proposed that criminality is learned through exposure to pro-crime attitudes and behaviours in the family
  • People are likely to be criminals and imitate criminal acts and can learn criminal behaviours and techniques of those around them
  • Pro-crime attitudes are likely to make an individual learn that crime has value and can be fruitful
  • These individuals will grow up to adopt a pro-crime attitude therefore are more likely to commit a crime than people who grow up in an anti-crime environment and attitude.
• Pro-crime attitudes:

  • Attitudes that do not reject crime and law breaking (are ”for” crime)