D. Sutherland is a notable figure in the field of sociology, particularly known for his contributions to the study of deviance and crime. He introduced the concept of white-collar crime, which refers to non-violent crimes committed for financial gain by individuals in their professional lives. His work emphasized that such crimes often go unpunished compared to street crimes. Sutherland also played a significant role in the development of differential association theory, which suggests that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others. This theory has influenced how sociologists and criminologists understand the social context of criminal activity and the importance of social relationships in shaping behavior.