AO3

• Evidence indicates how role models eg family and friends can significantly impact our behaviour so sound explanation for criminal acts 
• Alarid et al (2000) found differential association theory served as a good general theory of crime from testing newly convicted criminals for the extent to which the theory could explain their offending behaviour therefore argued it was necessary to look at the context of offending and use it to predict the likelihood of someone committing a crime
• May not account for all criminal acts or full extent of a crime, may be that the theory is a small determining/triggering factor in crime
• Differential association runs the risk of stereotyping individuals who come from less affluent backgrounds or are exposed to more crime in their community.
• The differential association theory does not account for genetic factors which may play a part in criminal behaviour.
• The differential association theory does not explain why some people who are exposed to criminality do not go on to become criminals themselves.