learning theory

Question 1

Learning theory– cause of criminal behaviour (social learning theory)

Answer 1

• Criminal behaviour is learnt.

Question 2

description of Learning theory

Answer 2

• Bandura - social learning theory
• We watch the behaviour of role models
• We form a memory of this behaviour
• If we see the model being rewarded for their behaviour, we are more likely to imitate the behavior
• We reproduce the behaviour
• If we are then rewarded for the behaviour, we are more likely to repeat the behaviour
• The behaviour has been learnt

Question 3

Learning theory– explanation for criminal behaviour

Answer 3

• If we observe criminal behaviour and see this behaviour being rewarded we are more likely to copy and repeat the same criminal behaviour
• E.g. a child sees their parent committing robberies and being rewarded with nice possessions, the child is likely to repeat the behaviour, be rewarded by nice possessions themselves and therefore learn the criminal act of robbery

Question 4

other Learning theory– cause of criminal behaviour (differential association theory)

Answer 4

• Criminal behaviour comes from how a person is socialised

Question 5

other Learning theory description

Answer 5

• If someone were socialised around people who held pro-crime attitudes, they would accept these attitudes as the norm and would then take on these same attitudes and views.
• If someone is socialised around people who commit crimes, they learn the methods needed to commit criminal acts
• If a child acquires more attitudes that are favourable to crime than unfavourable ones, the result will be that they regard criminal behaviour as acceptable.
• Influence comes from parents mainly
• Influence is dependent on
o frequency (the people we see the most often)
o length (the people we spend the most time with)
o meaningfulness of the interactions (significant role models such as parents)

Question 6

other Learning theory– explanation for criminal behaviour

Answer 6

• Criminal behaviour occurs when a child spend time with people who hold more pro-crime attitudes than anti-crime attitudes.
• For example, if a child’s parents consider robbery as ok, the child is likely to commit robbery when they grow up as they have spent a lot of time with their parents, they are important role models and believe robbery is ok.