Developmental: SLT

Question 1

What is the rational of this theory to explain crime?

Answer 1

-Criminal behaviour just like any behaviour. Other behaviours learnt - so is criminal

Question 2

What can this theory explain?

Answer 2

-Why people choose to become criminals
-OC: learn by trial and error
-This theory shows how people can modify beh without trying alternatives

Question 3

What are the 3 variables that Pennington 1986 identified that affect imitation?

Answer 3

1. Characteristics of role model (gender, age, status)
2. Characteristics of observer (self esteem, self efficacy)
3. Consequences of behaviour for model (reward/punish)

Question 4

When can someone not learn offending behaviour through SLT?

Answer 4

If they have not seen someone commit a crime

Question 5

What are the 8 key terms to describe social learning theory?

Answer 5

Role model, observation/attention, retention, motor reproduction, vicarious reinforcement, self efficacy, motivation (external), motivation (internal)

Question 6

Role models: definition and how it can explain criminal behaviour

Answer 6

-someone look up to, close family. Desirable traits, perceive similarity, same gender, same age/older, higher status
-see RM committing crime, eg sibling stealing from shop. Want to be like them as have looked up them whole life. They are older and have higher status

Question 7

Observation/attention: definition and how it explains criminal behaviour

Answer 7

-Pay attention to model so we can learn from them. see what they do and how they are treated.
-Pay attention to the crime they are committing - notice how they conceal item, how act and beh. See attention they receive after.

Question 8

Retention: definition and how it can explain criminal behaviour

Answer 8

-Cognition (MSM) Behaviour needs to be retained to be retrieved later. Mental images or descriptors, mental rehearsal later (not immediate)
-When older or given opportunity to steal, observation emerges as in similar situation and could reproduce

Question 9

Motor reproduction: definition and how it explains criminality

Answer 9

-Reproduce the actions observed and retained. Have self-efficacy and believe can do it, same tools
-carry out the crime or theft as are in the shop and no one looking, believe that they can do it, remember what they saw their RM do and how to steal.

Question 10

Vicarious reinforcement: definition and how it explains criminality

Answer 10

-See role model be rewarded for behaviour. Want same reward
-See sibling or RM get treat for free. Might be expensive. Get praise from others. Want to steal to get the same reward

Question 11

Self-efficacy: definition and how it explains criminal behaviour

Answer 11

-Belief that you can do the same action as the role model as you have the skills and tools. higher them more likely to imitate. those with low self-esteem likely to imitate
-Believe have skills to commit crime eg acting natural, not getting caught, conceal item, able to commit and likely to

Question 12

Motivation (external reward): definition and how it explains criminality

Answer 12

-If beh rewarded then will be repeated. physical outcome eg money or trophy
-item if steal, money if sell drugs

Question 13

Motivation (internal): definition and how it explains criminality

Answer 13

-self satisfaction. internal need to be satisfied eg excitement or self confidence
-Feel thrill or excitement after the crime or theft so this encourages to continue

Question 14

Evaluation

Answer 14

EACH

Question 15

Evidence (bobo dolls)

Answer 15

1961: children imitate aggressive same sex model. boys more aggressive. Girls imitate physical off male and verbal off female. more likely to imitate when role model same sex. Males 96% prison population
1963: exposed to agg film 2x more aggressive. boys more than girls. could learn crim behvaiour from video games and films (hitting)
1965: More beh imitated when shown reward condition. Seeing others be rewarded for crime through money/popularity means more likely to imitate

Question 16

Evidence (correlational study)

Answer 16

-Eron and Huesmann: longitudinal, viewing habits of children. early exposure to tv violence related to later agg in males. most tv violence = agg drivers, arrest record, phys punished children

Question 17

Evidence (lab experiment)

Answer 17

Berkowitz: showed violent and non vio films. Given opportunity later to give shocks. Those who watched violent gave more shocks

Question 18

Evidence (field)

Answer 18

Leyens et al: boys in correctional home violent or no violent films. boys who watched aggressive increased physical aggression, neutral showed little agg.

Question 19

Applications to real life

Answer 19

-pro-social models on tv. ceebeebies. bandura-children imitate agg beh off tv. if pro-social then less likely to imitate
-censorship of tv games and social media. don’t display violent crime to younger. Reduce impact of imitating games like gta. less likely to commit v crime
-watershed 9pm
-Workplaces and prisons have buddies to show good behaviour
-implication: role models like parents label child. SFP

Question 20

Comparisons and credibility

Answer 20

-Better than CC. only applies to involuntary and reflexes. SLT explains voluntary and spontaneous. Explain why people randomly commit crime
-Better than OC. Explains voluntary but only trial and error. Not how crimes are committed. Learn off others and commit.

Question 21

How good is the research

Answer 21

-Bandura: lab exp. high V. control extraneous v’s. children matched. Inc V of research and cred of explanation
-Bandura: low G. 31 boys, 31 girls aged 52 mths. not rep as only children. research and explanation not generalizable to how adults commit crime
- plus eval for lab, field and correlational studies
-Eron and Huesmann (didn’t measure tv directly - relied on info from parents)