learning theories-LO2 Flashcards
bandura/ sutherlands
first learning theory=
. Banduras social learning theory
what did Bandura believe ?
Bandura argued that people learn by watching the behaviour of role models. Role models are similar to the observer in some way (gender)
. If a person watches another person be rewarding for behaviour, they are more likely to copy that behaviour. (vicarious reinforcement)
. Alternatively, we can watch someone be punished for their behaviour, and this will make it less likely that the behaviour is repeated.
what study proved his idea ?
Bobo doll study
explain the Bobo study=
Children we divided into 3 control groups
. All three observed an adult being verbally and physically aggressive towards the Bobo doll.
. After, they were left to play alone.
Group 1= saw a version of the film where the model was rewarded for the aggressive behaviour with praise (vicarious reinforcement)- most likely to copy behaviour
Group 2= saw a version of the film in which the model was punished- least likely to copy behaviour
Group 3- saw a version of the film where the model was neither rewarded nor punished (neutral)- did copy behaviour but not a s much as group 1.
conclusion & application to criminality =
whether children imitate the behaviour depends on the consequences they observed.
They learned by observing someone’s else’s experience.
This can be applied to criminality. If an individual observes a model getting rewarded for criminality or go without punishment- the behaviour is more likely to be imitating.
Real life example-
Jamie bulger case
Venables and Thompson violently murdered a toddler. The killers were said to have watched the film “child’s play 3”, before the murder. The children imitated some of the actions shown in the movie such as throwing blue paint over Jamie.
2nd theory=
Sutherlands differential association theory
what did he believe=
Moved away from blaming biological and psychological factors for crime and instead looked at social factors. (as being what causes crime)
He believed there was a clear cause and effect link between the backgrounds of people who became criminals and those who do not.
. Social experiences clearly predict criminal behaviour, regardless of race, class or ethnic background.
how does this link to crime=
Offending behaviour is learned in the same way as any other behaviour
. When a person is socialized into a group they will be exposed to certain values and attitudes-including those that relate to the law. Some will be pro-crime others will be anti-crime.
. Sutherland thought that if the pro-criminal attitudes the person comes to acquire outweighs the anti-crime attitudes, they will go on to offend.
what did he believe were the two factors that criminality arised from ?
1.Learning attitudes towards crime
- Learning specific criminal acts (how to do it) (learn particular techniques for committing crime)
how does this relate to prison =
. While in prison,inmates will be exposed to pro-criminal attitudes and learn specific techniques of offending from more experienced criminals which they can put into practise on their release-leading to high levels of reoffending (recidivism)
case study supporting sunderland’s theory ?
Bogle family tree
. law breakers often come from Brocken homes, but the Bogler’s committed crimes to live up to the family mythology. For example, many ancestors have gone to jail for murder, drug possession and reckless driving.
