Akers: social learning and deviant behaviour Flashcards
Background-Sutherland
1) criminal behaviour learned
2) learned in interaction with other people (usually verbal communication)
3) intimate personal groups provided largest influence on learning criminal behaviour
4) learning includes learning techniques of commuting crime (attitudes, excuses)
5) learn to define laws as favourable and unfavourable (may see certain laws as pointless or discriminating so can flaunt or break them)
6) principle of differentiated association- repeated contact with criminal activity but not non-criminal activity
7) differential associations vary in duration, importance
8) criminal behaviour learnt in same way as any other behaviour
9) criminal behaviour is based on the same general needs as non-criminal behaviour
Aim
To test social learning theory of deviant behaviour on adolescent drinking and drug behaviour
Method
Self report
Design
Cross cultural
Participants
Approx 2500 males and females
Age 13-18
3 mid-western states in USA
Procedure
Parental permission obtained
For administration of a questionnaire about abstinence (use of alcohol, marijuana etc)
Abuse measures by asking respondent whether they had experienced problems on more than one occasion
Abstinence use of alcohol measures by 6point scale (1 never 6 everyday)
Results
Strong support for social learning theory (55% variance in drinking)
(68% in variance of marijuana)
Least predictive variable: imitation
Most predictive variable: differential association
5 predictor variables
Imitation index- total admired models participants observed using substance
Definitions- neutralising(denial excuse), law abiding, respondents own approval/disapproval
Differential association- perception of others approval/ disapproval
Differential social- encouragement, praise, reward and punishment
Differential non-social- positive and negative outcomes
