SLT as an explanation for crime

Question 1

Role model

Answer 1

A person looked at by another as someone that they can imitate - usually same age or older, same sex and higher social status

Question 2

2 characteristics of observer

Answer 2

Self esteem
Self efficacy

Question 3

4 main stages of social learning

Answer 3

Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation

Question 4

Attention with a criminal example

Answer 4

Observer pays attention to the behaviours of the role model in order to learn that behaviour
EXAMPLE = A child pays attention to his father stealing from a shop due to his father being a role model

Question 5

Retention with a criminal example

Answer 5

Observer retains the behaviour being modelled and usually imitates at a later date with mental rehearsal to remember actions
EXAMPLE = The child then retains the information of his father stealing

Question 6

Reproduction with a criminal example

Answer 6

Observed behaviour is then performed and involves reproducing what has been retained. People with low self esteem are more likely to imitate behaviour of role models due to not liking how they are. People with high self efficacy are likely to believe they have the willpower to reproduce this behaviour.
EXAMPLE = The child then reproduces father’s actions by going to a shop and stealing as he did. The child will need low self esteem but high self efficacy

Question 7

Motivation with a criminal example

Answer 7

Motivation may come from vicarious, external and internal reinforcements, whereby vicarious or internal reinforcement are highest motivators
EXAMPLE = If the child is motivated, he is more likely to continue to steak due to either receiving vicarious reinforcement from his father receiving no negative consequences or due to the thrill he experiences from stealing

Question 8

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 8

If observed behaviour is punished it is less likely to be produced, and if it is rewarded it is more likely to be reproduced

Question 9

Supporting Research

Answer 9

Bandura - children more aggressive after watching role model be aggressive towards bobo doll = people seeing aggressive behaviour that could lead to crime

Question 10

Compliments

Answer 10

Bandura = reliable - used standardised procedure of observing children’s behaviour for 20 mins, taking observations every 5 mins = replicable and easy to test for consistency

Question 11

Applications

Answer 11

YES - suggests criminality is learnt through observing it first so - WATERSHED - most violent TV shows shown after 9pm

Question 12

Criticisms

Answer 12

SLT cannot account for all crime - can’t explain opportunist crime for example - insufficient as an explanation for all criminal behaviour and so other explanations are needed eg. Eysenck’s personality theory