AC 2.2 & 3.2 individualistic - Learning Theories Flashcards
What are the learning theories?
• bandura learning theory
• skinner’s operant learning theory
What is Bandura’s social learning theory?
People learn behaviours by observing and imitating others especially role models
What is observational learning?
Learning by watching others
What are role models?
Influential people whose behaviour is copied
These people are similar to the observer in someway (gender) and the highest status (older, more money, famous etc)
What is vicarious reinforcement?
If someone sees a criminal being rewarded, they are more likely to imitate the behaviour
But we can watch someone be punished for their behaviour and this will make it less likely the behaviour is repeated
Research for Bandura’s learning theory
Jamie Bulger - the killers were said to have watched the film child’s play three before the murders. The judge said ‘it’s not for me to pass judgement on their upbringing, but I suspect exposure to violent video films may in part be an explanation’.
Bandura’s social learning theory - EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
– Unlike Skinner, Bandura takes account of the fact that people are social beings who learned from the experiences of others, not just our own direct experience
– His theory explained how children learn behaviour making strategies and awareness of how children should learn to discourage negative behaviours
WEAKNESSES
– However, one weakness of social learning theory is that the theory is based on laboratory studies
– It suggests behaviour is determined by learning experiences and ignores freedom of choice. This contrast the illegal view of crime (mens rea).
– Not all behaviour is imitable E.G someone breaking into a safe. People can mimic this, they have to choose to learn this.
What is Skinner‘s operant conditioning theory?
Behaviour is shaped by rewards and punishments
What is positive reinforcement?
Rewarding good behaviour, increasing the chance of it happening again
What is negative reinforcement?
Removing an unpleasant stimulus to encourage behaviour
What is punishment?
Adding an unpleasant consequence to discourage behaviour
What is an emotional reward?
The rewards can be emotional for example, respect of peers or integration into a friendship group
What is a material reward?
If a crime has more rewarding consequences than punishment for an individual, then they were more likely to engage it in the future. For example, if a thief does not get caught and gets to keep the goods they have stolen, they were more likely to engage in stealing behaviours in the future. This is an example of a material reward
Skinner’s operant conditioning theory - EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
- supports the idea of learning through experience – specifically through reinforcing the experience
– Jeffrey supports, stating that crime leads to rewards more than punishments. Individuals are more likely to take the risk.
WEAKNESSES
– This is based on studies of animals. It can be argued it doesn’t show how humans learn.
– It ignores internal mental process (thinking, personal values and attitudes)
– It takes away how people act in a way they want to act – no free will
