AO1

• The differential association theory was proposed by Sutherland who suggested offending is a learnt behaviour through individuals social groups attitudes
• If an individual encounters more and stronger definitions (attitudes) in favour of breaking the law than against it, then they will consider crime to be an acceptable way of life
• Main factors influencing behaviour are who a person associates with, for how long, frequently and how personally meaningful the associations are
• Not necessary to associate directly with criminals, but contact with people who were favourable to certain law-breaking or cheating was quite significant eg parents empasise stealing is bad but may falsify their tax return: child may still learn values conducive to antisocial behaviour
• Sutherland suggested criminal behaviour was not caused by lack of personal fibre but by the content of what was learned
• Offending behaviour arises from 2 factors; learned attitudes towards offending, and the learning of specific offending techniques.
• Farrington et al (2006) conducted a longitudinal study using 411 boys from the East End of London. Results showed at 41% had criminal convictions between the ages of 10 and 50 years, and 91% of those who started committing crimes between 10 and 13 years were reconvicted at least once.