Sutherland's Differential Association Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine Edwin Sutherland's theory of differential association. Following a brief history of Sutherland's ideas is a summary of the main ideas and premises of his differential association theory. Also included is a review of studies which attempt to test the validity of Sutherland's theory. Theoretical Criminology attempts to explain theories of why and how crime occurs by examining the various facts related to criminal …showed first 75 words of 4310 total…

…showed last 75 words of 4310 total…fundamental ideas or way of examining crime and criminal behavior. Conceivably, a better question and challenge that might be raised instead of what types of crime does it best explain, would be what types of crime or criminal behavior could you not apply to Sutherland's differential association theory. Therefore there is no suggestion that Sutherland's theory is not valid, merely that the application of Sutherland's theory must follow in accordance with Sutherland's own calculations and