Akers 1979

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to test the social learning theory on deviant behaviour with survey data on adolescent drinking and drub behaviour (test sutherland’s theory)

Question 2

method

Answer 2

self report

Question 3

design

Answer 3

cross sectional survey (snapshot)

Question 4

type of sample

Answer 4

sample of a representative population

Question 5

Ps

Answer 5

approx 2500 males and females adolescents - attending grades 7-12 (age 13-18)

3 midwestern states in USA

Question 6

procedure

Answer 6

Parental permission: on administration of a questionnaire about abstinence from use of alcohol and marijuana by the Ps.

Sub-sample of respondents = follow up interviews: reliable

Question 7

DV

Answer 7

abstinence of use of alcohol - 6 point frequency scale 1-6

Question 8

how was abuse measured and what influenced this study

Answer 8

abuse= measured by asking Ps is have experienced problems on more than I situation

Influenced by Bandura SLT and Sutherlands theory

Question 9

what are 5 concepts as predictors of variables

Answer 9

• imitation
• differential association
• definitions
• differential social reinforcement
• differential non-social reinforcement

Question 10

Results

Answer 10

strong support for social learning theory of adolescent and drug behaviour

All IVs used =

• 55% of variance in drinking behaviour
• 68% of variance in marijuana behaviour

Question 11

Conclusions

Answer 11

Imitation was low in explanatory factors (surprising)
= doesn’t link with SLT

results supported Sutherlands 1941 theory = both diff association is acceptable/unacceptable. Why young people develop deviant behaviours

Peer groups influence high (not surprising)
= social reinforcements + provide norms for acceptable and unacceptable behaviours