differential association: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “differential association” mean?
A criminology theory stating that criminal behaviour is learned through association with others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A criminology theory stating that criminal behaviour is learned through association with others.
In broader social science contexts, it describes how attitudes, values, and behaviours are learned through exposure to and communication within intimate personal groups, with the direction of learning (towards or away from deviance) depending on the frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of these associations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical or spelling differences; the term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical in both; strictly associated with the academic discipline of criminology.
Frequency
Used with equal, albeit low, frequency in UK and US academic criminology/sociology texts.
Grammar
How to Use “differential association” in a Sentence
The [criminal behaviour] was explained by [differential association].[Differential association] posits that [behaviour] is learned.According to the theory of [differential association], ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “differential association” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The differential association perspective was central to the analysis.
American English
- The differential-association model was developed by Sutherland.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central concept in criminology and sociology courses and literature.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in discussions of crime causes among informed laypeople.
Technical
Defined term in criminological research and theory.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “differential association”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “differential association”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “differential association”
- Using it as a plural noun ('differential associations').
- Confusing it with general 'peer pressure'.
- Using it outside a criminological learning context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the formal, theoretical elaboration of that informal idea. It specifies the mechanisms (frequency, duration, priority, intensity) of how associations lead to learned behaviours.
Yes, Sutherland originally developed it to explain crimes of the powerful, positing that business executives learn unethical or illegal practices through association with others in their professional environment.
No, it is exclusively a noun phrase referring to the theory. The verbal form is not standard academic usage.
A common critique is that it is difficult to test empirically, as measuring the exact 'excess of definitions' favourable to crime is challenging. It also risks being tautological (criminal associations cause crime).
A criminology theory stating that criminal behaviour is learned through association with others.
Differential association is usually technical/academic in register.
Differential association: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪf.ərˈen.ʃəl əˌsəʊ.siˈeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪf.ərˈen.ʃəl əˌsoʊ.siˈeɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DIFFERENT social circle (association) teaching you different rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEARNING IS ASSIMILATION (from a group).
Practice
Quiz
In which academic field is 'differential association' a core theoretical concept?