Psychological theories of crime W/2 Flashcards
What Is Behaviourism?
→ Behaviorism is a psychological approach that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors rather than internal mental states. It posits that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning, which can be either classical or operant (John B. Watson, 1913).
What are the two types of conditioning in behaviourism?
- Classical conditioning (biologically driven reflexes)
- Operant Conditioning (environmentally driven contingencies)
What is Classical conditioning? And explain Pavlove’s Dog experiment.
→ Classical Conditioning, involves associative learning, it’s an unconscious process where an automatic, conditioned response becomes associated with a specific stimulus.
→ Pavlove’s Dog Experiment was designed to test the dog’s physical response to stimuli. To test this he rang a bell (conditioned stimulus) shortly before presenting food (unconditioned stimulus) to the dogs. Initially, the dogs did not salivate in response to the bell (neutral stimulus). However, as they learned to associate the sound of the bell with the arrival of food, they began to salivate (conditioned response) at the sound alone (Ivan Pavlov, 1897).
What is Operant Conditioning? And explain Skinner’s Box.
→ Operant Conditioning, is a method of learning that occurs through punishments and rewards for behavior. Individuals associate their behaviors with consequences. Actions or behaviors that are followed with praise (reinforcement) tend to increase and actions or behaviors that are met with punishment tend to decrease.
→ Skinner’s Box demonstrates how behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment. In this experiment, he would place an animal (rat) inside a box with a lever that dispenses reward (food & water) when pressed. Over time, the rate of lever pressing increases as the animal associates the behavior with receiving food. The experiment revealed how reinforcement strengthens behavior and how punishment can reduce unwanted behaviors (B.F. Skinner, 1947).
What limits Behaviourism?
→ Behaviourism lacks focus on the development of cognitive skills which are essential for long-term learning.
What is the Differential Reinforcement Theory?
→ Differential Reinforcement Theory, Argues that criminal behavior is learned through both social and nonsocial reinforcements and that most learning of criminal behavior occurs in social interactions with other people. Although criminal behavior is acquired through social interaction and modeling, it is maintained over time through the actual consequences of criminal acts, both social and nonsocial (Jeffery,1965).
How does Operant Conditioning affect Differential Reinforcement Theory?
→ Operant Conditioning plays a key role in the process of differential association because overtime repeated associations with delinquent peers can create a strong pattern of behavior, as individuals prioritize the reinforcements associated with delinquency, leading to increased levels of delinquent behavior.
What is Social Learning Theory?
→ Social Learning Theory, assumes behavior is developed and regulated by external stimulus events, such as the influence of other individuals, and by external reinforcement, such as praise, blame, and reward (Albert Bandura, 1961).
Explain how Social Learning Theory uses both Classical and Operant conditioning.
→ In this framework, classical conditioning is evident in how individuals associate certain stimuli with emotional responses. Conversely, operant conditioning comes into play as individuals learn that certain behaviors are reinforced or punished based on the consequences observed in others. Individuals are more likely to imitate behaviors that lead to positive outcomes while avoiding those that result in negative consequences.
What are the fundamental concepts and principles of the social learning theory?
- Observational learning
- Imitation
- Reinforcement
- Modeling
- The role of environment and socialization
- The importance of peers, family, and community
what limits the social learning theory?
→ Limitation, the theory ignores individual differences and biological factors and faces difficulties explaining spontaneous/impulsive crimes.
What is Elliott et al.’s Integrated Theory (1979)?
→ The Integrated theory, posits that delinquency arises from the interplay of multiple factors, including social structure, individual characteristics, and interactional processes. It suggests that weakened social controls can lead to increased delinquent behavior, while positive social influences can foster resilience (Elliott et al., 1979).
How does Elliot’s theory integrate the Social learning theory & social bond theory?
→ Integrates these two theories by emphasizing the dynamic interplay between individual behavior and social influences.
How does Elliot’s theory argue the interplay between the Social learning theory & social bond theory?
→ Elliott argues that strong social bonds can deter delinquency by promoting prosocial behaviors, while weak bonds may lead to increased delinquent environments, enhancing the likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior. Both learning processes are crucial in understanding and preventing juvenile delinquency.
How does Elliot’s theory integrate the Social learning theory & the strain theory?
→ Integrates these two theories to provide a comprehensive understanding of juvenile delinquency by linking the influence of environmental factors with individual behavior.
