A theory developed by Edwin Sutherland holding that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others, particularly through association with people who favor law violation over conformity to law.
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountCriminal behavior is learned through social interaction, particularly with intimate personal groups who model and favor it. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountCritics argue the theory treats offenders as independent, rational actors shaped only by environmental influence and does not account for personality traits that might affect a person's susceptibility to those influences. 2 Cross-Tradition Connections
Developed By
Informed
Social learning theory integrates Sutherland's differential association theory with behavioral reinforcement principles from psychology.
Informed By
Sutherland developed differential association partly to explain the white-collar crime he had documented, arguing criminal behavior is learned like any other, regardless of social class.
Sources
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