Differential association is a theory of deviance proposed by Edwin Sutherland that holds that violation of rules results from exposure to attitudes favourable to criminal acts. This theory suggests that criminal behaviour is learned through interactions with others, particularly in intimate personal groups. Individuals learn not only the techniques of committing crimes but also the attitudes, values, and rationalisations that support criminal behaviour. The likelihood of engaging in deviance depends on the frequency, intensity, priority, and duration of an individual's association with those who hold deviant attitudes compared to those who hold conventional attitudes. Differential association theory emphasises the social learning aspect of deviance, suggesting that it is not simply the result of individual pathology but rather a product of social interaction and learning within specific social environments.