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Social Learning Theory

1237 Words5 Pages

Social Learning Theory states that behavior is learned due to the communication and socialization of of learned patterns of criminal behavior (Schmalleger, 2012, p. 177). Behavior is learned through the three processes of: Individuals learn beliefs/definitions of crime as justified or desired in certain situations, Individuals engage in crime because they are differentially reinforced for criminal behavior, Individuals engage in crime because they imitate the criminal behavior of others, especially valued others whose own criminal behavior is reinforced. Social Learning Theory consists of 4 concepts; Differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, and imitation. Differential association is from Edwin Sutherland and includes …show more content…

• The process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. • Although criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those general needs and values, because noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values. • Differential association varies in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. The most frequent, longest-running, earliest and closest influences will be most efficacious or determinant of learned behavior. (Schmalleger, 2012, p. 178). Robert Burgess and Ronald Akers expand on Sutherlands differential association by adding differential reinforcement. Differential Reinforcement is positive and negative when it comes to reinforcement as well as punishment. In 1998, Ronald Akers published a book called Social Structure Social Learning Theory (SSSL). Akers book focuses on micro and macro theory, crime rates function due to social learning, within the social structure. In this book, Burgess and Akers proposes seven propositions towards …show more content…

• The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs in those groups which comprise the individual’s major source of reinforcements (reformulation of Sutherland’s Principle 3). • The learning of criminal behavior, including specific techniques, attitudes, and avoidance procedures, is a function of the effective and available reinforcers, and the existing reinforcement contingencies (reformulation of Sutherland’s Principle 4). • The specific class of behaviors which are learned and their frequency of occurrence are a function of the reinforcers which are effective and available, and the rules or norms by which these reinforcers are applied (reformulation of Sutherland’s Principle 5). • Criminal behavior is a function of norms which are discriminative for criminal behavior, the learning of which takes place when such behavior is more highly reinforced than noncriminal behavior (reformulation of Sutherland’s Principle

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