AC 2.2- individualistic theories- learning theories Flashcards
bandura- social learning theory
2 general points
-suggests behaviour is learnt through observation+imitation
-mediating processes occur between stimuli+responses
bandura- social learning theory
bobo doll study procedure
-studied aggressive children behaviour after seeing an adult modelling behaviour
-children shown video of adult model being aggressive, and a consequence of their behaviour
bandura- social learning theory
what are adult models
individuals with authority/higher status
bandura- social learning theory
bobo doll study findings (3)
-aggressive behaviour observed+rewarded= child more likely to imitate
-aggressive behaviour observed+no response= child less likely to imitate
-aggressive behaviour observed+ punished= child less likely to imitate
bandura- social learning theory
what are mediating processes
cognitive factors to determine whether a new behaviour is acquired or not
bandura- social learning theory
what are the 4 mediational processes
1.attention- whether we notice behaviour
2.retention- whether we remember behaviour
3.reproduction- whether we can perform behaviour
4.motivation- whether rewards outweigh costs
sutherland- differential association
3 general points
-values and motives for criminality are learned through interactions with others
-criminal behaviour is learned based on favourable motivational factors
-behaviour mostly learnt from family+peer groups, where it is normal and justified
sutherland- differential association
what 2 factors is learning based on
-imitation of behaviour- acquiring skills+techniques through observations eg. how to steal without getting caught
-learned attitudes-when exposed to attitudes, they become internalised eg. drug use is ok because its not harming anyone else
skinner- operant conditioning
general point
-understanding behaviour by looking at the causes of a behaviour and its consequences
skinner- operant conditioning
rat study- positive reinforcement (4)
1.put hungry rat in Skinner box which has lever on side
2.when rat moves lever accidentally it dispenses food pellet
3.rat quickly learns to go straight to lever when put in box
4.consequence= receiving food when pressing lever, so rat repeats behaviour
skinner- operant conditioning
rat study- negative reinforcement (4)
1.rat in skinner box is subjected to electric current
2.rat moves around and accidentally knocks lever which turns current off
3.rat quickly learns to go straight to lever when put in box
4.consequence=escaping the current when pressing lever, so rat repeats behaviour
skinner- operant conditioning
what are neutral operants
-responses from environment that neither increases/decreases probability of behaviour being repeated
skinner- operant conditioning
what are reinforcer operants (2)
-responses from environment that increases probability of behaviour being repeated
-can be positive/negative
skinner- operant conditioning
what are punisher operants (2)
-responses from environment that increases probability of behaviour being repeated
-punishment weakens behaviour
skinner- operant conditioning
what 3 things can punishments do
-create fear
-increase aggressive behaviour
-suppress behaviour- but returns if punishment is inconsistent
evaluation- sutherland
2 strengths
-fact that crime runs in family supports this. People with criminal parents more likely to be criminal as theyve learnt criminal values
-research found delinquents more likely to have friends who are deviant- suggests behaviour is learnt from peer groups
evaluation- sutherland
limitation
not everyone who’s exposed to criminal influences becomes criminal-they may learn how to commit them, but dont put it into practice
evaluation- bandura
2 strengths
-takes into account that we’re social beings. We learn from others’ experiences not just our own
-shows importance of role models in learning deviancy
evaluation- bandura
2 limitations
-lab studies have artificial settings- findings invalid for real life application
-theory assumes behaviour is completely determined by earning experiences- ignores freedom of choice
evaluation- skinner
2 strengths
-shows animals learn from experience through reinforcement- similar to some human learning
-applicable to offending- if a crime’s benefits outweigh costs, theyre more likely to offend
evaluation- skinner
2 limitations
-animal-based study- unrepresentative of human behaviour
-ignores mental processes (thinking, personal values). explains criminality solely in terms of external rewards+punishments
