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Social Learning Theory

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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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Although differential association can be seen in high schools it can also be seen through different groups of adults because it based on who they associate themselves with and if they involve themselves in criminal activity. Differential association theory plays a huge role in high schools because students learn to commit crimes due to the association of those around them and can influence their behaviors (Siegel,

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Sutherland explained that through repeated exposure to criminal activity, individuals became influenced to change their ideals to reflect that of a criminal group. Groups are often very close knit and the individual in addition to learning how to commit crimes, begin to understand the motives behind a criminal group’s actions (“Differential Association Theory”). Sutherland broke down the main argument in 9 different statements and stated that the frequency, duration, priority, and intensity of the situation may vary case to case ( “Differential Association

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The change in behaviour is explained through The Differential Association Theory which claims that, “Criminal behaviour is learnable and learned in interaction with other deviant persons.” (Edwin H. Sutherland,

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They learn from observing others’ behavior, attitudes, and the outcomes of those behaviors This theory is often referred to as a bridge between behaviorist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation. Richard Ramirez is prime example of the social learning theory. He wanted respect from his cousin, and tried to gain it by modeling his behavior towards the crimes that he saw happening to women from the photos that his cousin showed him after he returned from Vietnam. Shortly after his cousin’s return, he started doing drugs and later turned violent. He heard stories from his cousin about how he brutally attacked women, and fed off his cousin’s body language while he told the stories of what he did to those

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Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.

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Fifth, the specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. Sixth, a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law. Seventh, Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. Eighth, 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. Lastly, while criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those needs and values, since non-criminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.

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The second theory was Differential Association Theory, which explains that criminal behavior is the result of learning processes, meaning that a child learns positive attitudes towards criminal behavior from parents, close family members, and their close

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Social learning theory combines cognitive learning theory and behavioral learning theory. Social learning theory contributes many other theories. Most crimes come from people who was influenced by their peers who also do crimes. Crimes are illegal acts against the law. The social learning theory criticisms are individuals and especially children.

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The differential association theory was developed by Edwin Sutherland in order to describe the social aspects of crime and how individuals learn criminal behavior by interaction with those who have criminal attitudes, values, techniques and motives. This social theory can be easily used when trying to describe the cliques and social aspects of high school. For each different social group there is a specific set of social tendencies and attitudes present, whether delinquent or not. Based on social acceptance the individuals involved make different choices or even different crimes based off of what group they are apart of. “The important point in the theory is that all criminal behavior is learned in a process of social interaction”

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That is, those results are more reasonable and believable. Also, social learning theory highly values person-in-environment, which can more comprehensively analyze human behavior with influence of social environment (Li, 2009). Besides, although the research on social learning theory focused on children, it does not ignore the roles of teachers, parents and elder family members in children’s lives. Actually, this theory encourages them to be a model and engage in children’s behavior learning process while the concepts of this theory is easy to understand.

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