Originally Posted by JDR13 
I could be mistaken, but I don't think it works that way. I'm pretty sure you get more XP for pickpocketing in the later chapters. It has nothing to do with how many people you've thieved from.
That's also how I remember it, certain activities like pickpocketing and reading bookstands provide increased XP in later chapters.
—
There is great need for a sarcasm font.