How does differential association theory explain how criminal behavior is learned?

Differential association theory, developed by American criminologist Edwin Sutherland, posits that criminal behavior is not biologically or psychologically innate but is instead a product of normal learning through social interaction.12

According to this theory, individuals learn criminal values and behaviors through their associations with others, particularly within their peer groups. The learning process occurs through both verbal and nonverbal communication, where an individual internalizes attitudes that are either favorable or unfavorable toward violating the law.12

Key aspects of how this behavior is learned include:
* Social Interaction: Criminal behavior is acquired through the same social processes as any other learned behavior.1
* Excess of Definitions: An individual becomes predisposed to criminal activity when they are exposed to an "excess" of attitudes and rationalizations that favor lawbreaking over those that support law-abiding behavior.1
* Influence of Peers: If an individual’s primary peer group engages in delinquency, they are more likely to identify such behavior as normal and adopt those patterns themselves.12

While the theory has faced criticism for not explaining why some individuals exposed to criminal patterns do not commit crimes, it remains a foundational concept in sociological criminology.1