Differential Association Theory

• This theory links to environmental determinism


  Offending behaviour occurs because of too many interactions and associations with pro-crime attitudes
• The differential association theory ignores the role of free will and that some people may choose not to commit crimes despite being exposed to these influences
• Differential association theory


  • Contributed to changing people's views about the origins of criminal behaviour
  • Shifted the blaming of individual factors from biology to social factors and experiences
  • Presented real world implications as the learning environments could be changed to address this (through social policies)
  • Contributed to highlighting the transgressions of middle-class people rather than those of only lower social standing highlighting the different forms of crime committed by people of all backgrounds
• Sutherland pointed out that crime should be considered on an individual basis
• There is a danger that this theory may lead to negative stereotypes of individuals who come from certain 'crime-ridden' backgrounds, as being destined to become criminals
• The differential association theory proves difficult to test as it is difficult to measure the number of pro-criminal attitudes a person has been exposed to
• This is problematic for the explanation as it is not possible to make firm conclusions as to whether criminal behaviour is learned in this way
• This ultimately decreases the theory's scientific credibility