Final answer:
Edwin Sutherland's theory of differential association is a sociological explanation for how individuals learn behaviors and norms from the groups they interact with, particularly deviant behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edwin Sutherland proposed the theory of differential association to explain how we learn specific behaviors and norms from the groups we have contact with. This sociological theory posits that individuals learn deviant behavior through interaction with others, specifically through an excess of definitions favorable to deviant behavior compared to definitions unfavorable. This learning process, which includes the adoption of group norms through social interactions, aligns with the field of criminology and broadens the understanding of how personal and societal behaviors are developed and perpetuated.