DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THERAPY AO1

• 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
• Criminal behaviour is learned


  The environment individuals are either brought up in or surrounded by could lead to them learning criminal behaviour
• Media and other influences are secondary

  Individuals may be influenced by the things they are exposed to which may result in them acting out criminal acts
• Postulates four to six

  1. Learning involves the techniques required to commit the crime

  2. Transmission of values, attitudes, drives etc with rationalisations for committing the crime

  3. Direction of drives is learnt from definitions of legal codes of what is favourable and unfavourable

  4. A person becomes a criminal when a number of unfavourable laws become excessive, so if it is constantly done
• Postulates seven to nine


  Associations may vary in duration, frequency, and priority
• 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.