Questions and Answers
What is this theory based on?
A reformulation and extension of Sutherland's theory.
What does the theory argue?
That definitions favorable to crime are important. Crime may be learned through imitation and differential reinforcement.
What does the theory specify?
The learning mechanisms of behavior—how criminal behavior is learned.
This theory is?
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What does learning refer to?
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Four major concepts of social learning theory are ___ , ___ , ___ , and ___
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What is differential association?
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What is behavioral interaction?
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What is normative?
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What else is differential association?
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What are the most important groups?
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What are secondary groups?
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What are definitions?
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Approving attitudes toward crime can be:
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What are common neutralizations of ethical conflict (Sykes and Matza)?
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What is differential reinforcement?
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What can reinforcement be?
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Punishments can be?
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Reinforcers and punishers can also be?
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What is imitation?
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Social structures are hypothesized to what?
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What are the 4 dimensions of social structure?
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Study Notes
Overview of Akers' Social Learning Theory of Crime
- Reformulation and extension of Sutherland's theory of differential association.
- Emphasizes the role of definitions favorable to crime and the processes of imitation and differential reinforcement in learning criminal behavior.
Key Concepts of Social Learning Theory
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Differential Association:
- Involves exposure to both favorable and unfavorable norms regarding illegal behavior.
- Includes behavioral interactional dimensions and normative aspects.
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Definitions:
- Personal attitudes and meanings attached to behaviors influence engagement.
- Approval of a behavior increases likelihood of participation, disapproval decreases it.
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Differential Reinforcement:
- Compares anticipated or actual rewards and punishments following behavior.
- Positive reinforcement encourages behavior, while punishment discourages it.
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Imitation:
- Learning through observation of similar behaviors in others, affecting both prosocial and deviant actions.
Mechanisms of Learning Criminal Behavior
- Learning encompasses acquisition, maintenance, and modification of behavior.
- Reinforcement can be positive (adding a stimulus) or negative (removing an aversive stimulus).
- Punishments can be direct (adding an aversive stimulus) or indirect (removing a positive stimulus).
Importance of Social Groups
- Primary groups (family and friends) significantly influence behavior through direct interactions.
- Secondary groups (church, school, mass media) also provide exposure to norms and definitions.
Contextual Factors Influencing Behavior
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Neutralizations: Techniques to justify actions that may conflict with ethical standards, including:
- Denial of responsibility, injury, and victim.
- Condemnation of the condemners and appeal to higher loyalties.
- Social Structures: Indirectly affect individual behavior through influence on associations, definitions, reinforcement, and imitative behaviors.
Dimensions of Social Structure
- Variations in social organization can lead to differing crime rates (e.g., age composition, population density).
- Individual's social location impacts their behavior and position within the larger social framework.
- Theoretical constructs like anomie, class, and oppression also shape behaviors.
Summary of Reinforcement and Punishment
- Reinforcers can be nonsocial (e.g., effects of drugs) or social (e.g., status, praise).
- Most learning occurs through social exchanges rather than nonsocial experiences.
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Description
Explore Akers' reformulated social learning theory of crime through these flashcards. Understand the key concepts such as definitions favorable to crime, imitation, and the mechanisms of how criminal behavior is learned. Perfect for students of criminology and sociology.