You too can learn to be a serial killer Robert Hale Social Learning Associationism Aristotle Hobbes Locke and Hume oldest learning theory Based on the idea that the mind organizes sensory experiences in some way known as cognitive Learning Theories Social process paradigm psychology today Learning Theories sensory associations Behavioral Psychology Behaviorism developed by Pavlov and Skinner is the second oldest learning theory Based on the idea that the mind requires a physical response by the body in order to organize Classical conditioning stimuli produce a given response without prior training Operant conditioning rewards and punishments are used to reinforce given responses Social Learning Theory Most impact on criminology Bandura 1969 Formulated the principles of stimulus control outlined the stages of modeling and pioneered the field of vicarious learning Bandura s Social Learning Theory People learn to be aggressive and violent through life experiences Aggressive acts are the result of modeling family environmental experiences and mass media Four factors that produce violent aggressive behavior an event that heightens arousal aggressive skills expected outcome and consistency of behavior with values Social Learning in Criminology Origins in Criminology with Sutherland s Differential Association theory 1934 1939 1947 Revision of Sutherland s theory in 1960s by Robert Burgess and Ronald Akers 1966 later revised and elaborated by Akers 1973 1985 1998 Akers Social Learning Theory Draws from psychology and behavioral studies Bandura Pavlov etc Criminal behavior is learned through direct operant conditioning and imitation modeling of others Akers Social Learning Theory Four Major Concepts 1 Differential association Sutherland 2 Definitions positive definitions beliefs or attitudes which make the behavior morally desirable or permissible neutralizing definitions justify excuse the behavior Akers Social Learning Theory Four Major Concepts 3 Differential reinforcement Whether deviant or conforming behavior is acquired and persists depends on past and present rewards or punishments for the behavior and the rewards punishments attached to alternative behavior 4 Modeling Imitation behavior can be developed or extinguished Important Observations Broad in scope Those with whom one has the greatest contact will have the greatest influence over that individual family friends media school employers co workers government law enforcement etc More readily testable than differential association theory The Research Generally supportive of the theory Praised for practical implications in the areas of counseling and corrections Criticisms Criticisms Most studies have examined relatively minor forms of deviance and criminal behavior Will it be supported in studies of serious criminal offending One study found support for the theory with rape sexual coercion by male college students but more studies are needed on other forms of serious criminal offending Does not address the question of how or where criminal deviant definitions and labels originate Major criticism of most theories we have discussed thus far Does not include a general explanation of laws criminal justice or the structural aspects of society that have an impact on crime