The idea that people learn criminal behavior from others, including people at work.

• A. Rational choice theory
• B. Social learning theory
• C. Differential association theory
• D. Strain theory

Answer: (C)

Criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others, especially within close social groups. This idea is the heart of differential association theory, which says people pick up definitions, attitudes, techniques, and rationalizations for crime by communicating with others who socialize them toward deviance. The theory highlights how the frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of exposure to favorable definitions of crime shape a person’s likelihood of offending. So, if coworkers or peers at work normalize or encourage criminal conduct, those definitions and methods can be learned and adopted, increasing the chance of engaging in crime. While other theories speak to costs and benefits (rational choice), social influence in general (social learning), or pressures and strain, differential association specifically centers on learning criminal behavior through social contact with others.