Sutherland proposed differential association theory, suggesting that offending behaviour is explained entirely in terms of social learning (learning from others, via observation and imitation). He also proposed nine postulates.
First three postulates
Focus on the fact that criminal behaviour is learnt through our role models, such as family members or friends
We observe their behaviour and through interacting and communicating with them we learn criminal behaviour
The process of learning behaviours of criminals can be via other mechanisms for example operant conditioning, however it is not dependent on the above associations but also the wider context of an individual's life meaning that there are other factors to why someone will commit crime ‘mainly due to poverty’ and when the factors are no longer there, it will be less likely for the individual to commit crime to suit their needs.