Differential Association

1. Differential Association Theory was developed by the famous criminologist Edwin Sutherland (1883-1950). He felt that criminal behavior was learned. The person learned the behavior by associating with persons who condoned criminal behavior. Since his theory did not depend on biological explanations or certain social/structural conditions it became very useful in explaining why crime could exsist in different socioeconomic strata.

2. Differential Association is based on 9 principles governing the learning process.
   • Principle # 1 Criminal behavior is learned. Criminal behavior is no different than any other behavior that is learned.
   • Principle # 2Criminal behavior is learned through associating with others via th communication processes.
   • Principle # 3The primary associations that teach criminal behavior or intimate relationships family, school, peers.
   • Principle # 4Through intimate social groups persons learn the skills necessary to commit crimes. Crimes cannot successfully performed without the skills and they are learned.
   • Principle # 5The intimate relationships also teach the drives and motivations required to commit a crime.
   • Principle # 6Diffrential theory suggests that the criminal behavior will follow the rules governing all learned behavior. Particularly when the behavior is seen as having more rewards than negative consequences the behavior witll continue. If the consequences are greater than the rewards the behavior will stop.
   • Principle # 7Differiantial associations are ranked in ability to have influence over a persons behavior based on the following:
     • priority- the age of children when first understand criminal behavior
     • intensity- the level of pestige associated with a person or group
     • frequency- number of contacts a person has with groups that condone criminal behavior
     • duration- the lenght of time the relationship will last and so its influnence over the persons behavior.

   • Principle # 8Learning criminal behavior is no different from learning any other behavior.
   • Principle # 9Criminal behavior, though deviant, is a expression of values and needs that shape the behavior.