learning theories Flashcards
what are the 3 learning theories?
Sutherlands differential association theory
operant conditioning (Jeffreys differential reinforcement theory)
social learning theory
where does Sutherland say we learn behaviour from?
largely in family and peer groups
what 2 factors does Sutherland say individuals learn criminality from
imitation
learned attitudes
strengths of Sutherlands theory
Farrington- investigated anti social behaviour in 411 men in London and found 45% went on to commit crime (crime in family was similar trait)
Matthews - juvenile delinquents more likely to have friends who commit anti social acts (shows learning from peers)
weaknesses of Sutherlands theory
Farrington - also suggested poverty and low educational achievement were key factors in the study and played a part in criminality
not everyone exposed to criminality becomes a criminal
who developed the operant conditioning theory?
Skinner
what is operant conditioning?
people learn through the consequences of their actions
what is it called if you repeat good behaviour due to pleasant consequences
(and the opposite)
positive and negative reinforcement
Skinners rat experiment
designed to teach rats to push a lever
this behaviour isn’t natural so positive and negative reinforcement was used
(rat rewarded with food if it pushed the lever)
(rat able to turn off electric shocks produced by floor by pressing lever)
what was Jeffreys differential reinforcement theory?
criminal behaviour learnt through reinforcement of particular behaviours
if crime has more rewarding consequences (e.g respect, money) people are more likely to engage in criminal activity
strengths of Skinners operant conditioning
Skinners study shows learning from experience through reinforcement
Jeffrey shows person more likely to offend if crime has more reward than punishment
weaknesses of Skinners operant conditioning
based on study of animals so not adequate model of how humans behave
theory ignores internal processes e.g thinking, personal values and attitudes
who developed social learning theory?
Bandura
what is social learning theory?
children likely to imitate models who are important to them
what are the features of a model
powerful (parent)
similar (characteristics)
reinforced (rewarded behaviour)
Bandura bobo doll experiment
experiments with 4-5 year olds
group 1- saw models hit doll and get rewarded
group 2- saw models hit doll and get punishment
group 3- saw models hit doll and got neither a reward or punishment
results of Banduras bobo doll experiment
group 1- imitated aggressive behaviour
group 2- less likely to imitate behaviour
group 3- imitated behaviour but not as much as group 1
strengths of social learning theory
Banduras study supports the theory
study has been replicated with slight changes and have found similar results
weaknesses of social learning theory
theory based on lab experiments which are artificial so lack validity
theory assumes behaviour only learnt from experience and doesn’t include own choice
what is a cognitive theory?
looks at the way a criminal thinks and the development of what we think is right and wrong
what is Kohlbergs moral development theory
about how we develop our moral thinking
our ideas of right and wrong develop through levels and stages from childhood to adulthood
children define right and wrong through reward and punishment
adults define right and wrong through underlying moral principles and values
what is a criminals moral development like
stuck at less mature level
more likely to think of reward and punishment rather than the affect it has on others
