Akers (Sutherland): Peer groups SLT

Question 1

Strengths and weaknesses of Sutherland?

Answer 1

STRENGTHS:
•useful when explaining crimes within families in particular areas
•provides a basis for further research

WEAKNESSES:
•reductionist= ignores other bio factors+influencers like computer games, media
•based on secondary data= researcher bias

Question 2

Aim?

Answer 2

To test social learning theory of deviant behaviour with survey data on adolescent drinking and drug behaviour.

Question 3

Method?

Answer 3

Self-report

Question 4

Design?

Answer 4

Cross-sectional (Snapshot)

Question 5

Sample?

Answer 5

• representative of target pop
• approx 2500 male+females
• aged 13 to 18
• from 3 Midwestern states in US

Question 6

Procedure?

Answer 6

• parental permission obtained
• questionnaire about abstinence/use of alcohol and marijuana
• sub sample selected for follow up interview to check reliability

Question 7

Measures?

Answer 7

•abstinence/use of alcohol
1= never, 6= nearly every day

•abuse measured by whether they had experienced problems more than once
“Having an accident” “not being able to remember”

Question 8

Predictor variables for criminal behaviour? (4)

Answer 8

• imitation: total admired role models using the substance
• definitions: denial/excuse, law-abiding/violating, respondents own approval/disapproval
• differential association
• differential reinforcement

Question 9

Differential association?

Answer 9

Approval/dis by:

a) adults who’s opinion they valued
b) other teens who’s opinion they valued

Differential peer association:
a scale of 3 items measuring how many of respondents friends use substance

Question 10

Differential reinforcement?

Answer 10

Social: encouragement, praise, punishment, from abstinence/use

Social+non-social: pros+cons of use/abstinence e.g feeling good or bad

Question 11

Results?

Answer 11

• regression analyses: strong support for SLT

* SLT explains 55% of variance in drinking behaviour and 68% variance in marijuana

Question 12

Strengths?

Answer 12

• large sample= higher reliability
• anonymous may reduce d.c
• standardised questionnaires= higher internal reliability
• ethical as consent+anonymity
• follow-up interviews= concurrent validity

Question 13

Weaknesses?

Answer 13

• ethnocentric= low cross-cultural validity
• selection process= parental permission, may not want kids to take part
• self-report= social desirability
• all done through schools; those who don’t go more likely to commit crimes?
• likert scales= may be misinterpreted, lower internal validity

Question 14

Sutherlands 9 principles?

4

Answer 14

1. Criminal behaviour is learned
2. Learning happens through interacting with and observing others
3. Learning occurs within “primary groups” (family, close friends etc)
4. Learning criminal behaviour involves learning techniques, motives+justifications

Question 15

What is SLT?

Answer 15

Social learning theory= people learn by observing others