差别接触理论（Differential Association Theory，又称异质接触理论、异质交往理论、差别链接理论）是犯罪学理论之一，由美国犯罪学家爱德文·苏哲兰（Edwin Sutherland）于1939年的《犯罪学原理》（三版）中首次提出；Sutherland 生前最后一次关于差别接触理论的修改是在1947年的《犯罪学原理》四版。本书于Sutherland 1950年过世后，首先由Donald R. Cressey、接着由David F. Luckenbill续作，一直到1992年的第11版，但差别接触理论一节都维持 Sutherland 的原文没有修改，续作者只是在该节的开头加了对历来各种误解和新研究的回应。所以今日若要研究此理论，找不到1947的书，也可以直接取用1992年的书。

In criminology, differential association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.

The differential association theory is the most talked about of the learning theories of deviance. This theory focuses on how individuals learn to become criminals, but does not concern itself with why they become criminals. Learning Theory is closely related to the Interactionist perspective; however, it is not considered so because Interactionism focuses on the construction of boundaries in society and persons' perceptions of them. Learning Theory is considered a positivist approach because it focuses on specific acts, opposed to the more subjective position of social impressions on one's identity, and how those may compel to act. They learn how to commit criminal acts; they learn motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes. It grows socially easier for the individuals to commit a crime. Their inspiration is the processes of cultural transmission and construction. Sutherland had developed the idea of the "self" as a social construct, as when a person's self-image is continuously being reconstructed especially when interacting with other people.