social explanation of crime: social learning theory

Question 1

define ‘attention’ with link to crime

Answer 1

observation of a crime

Question 2

define ‘retention’ with link to crime

Answer 2

remembering the crime you observed

Question 3

define ‘reproduction’ with link to crime

Answer 3

knowing whether you are capable to commit the crime yourself

Question 4

define ‘motivation’ with link to crime

Answer 4

being praised, gaining items from stealing or gaining popularity after committing the crime which encourages you to continue

Question 5

define ‘vicarious reinforcement’ with link to crime

Answer 5

when we see someone behave in a particular way and get positively reinforced for it. we may then replicate that behaviour in order to receive the same positive reinforcement.

Question 6

define ‘positive reinforcement’ with link to crime

Answer 6

being praised or feeling a dopamine / adrenaline hit when committing the crime

Question 7

define ‘negative reinforcement’ with link to crime

Answer 7

getting out of a bad home situation after committing the crime

Question 8

define ‘punishment’ with link to crime

Answer 8

going to prisons or losing freedom after committing a crime

Question 9

what is social learning theory in terms of crime?

Answer 9

the concept that explains how we learn potentially criminal behaviours from others through observation and imitation of a role model. in order for us to be likely to imitate behaviours we must have paid attention to them, remembered them and be motivated to replicate them. violent or anti-social behaviour often holds our attention and is likely to be remembered. If vicarious reinforcement occurs we then have the motivation to replicate the behaviour

Question 10

what is an indication that desensitisation has occurred?

Answer 10

reduction in physiological arousal when exposed to violence and becoming numb to the pain/suffering of others

Question 11

define ‘desensitisation’

Answer 11

watching violence can lead to aggressive behaviour by removing the anxiety about violence which usually inhibits its use

Question 12

define ‘disinhibition’

Answer 12

prolonged exposure to violence leading to it being a part of everyday life, reducing the guilt/concern about the consequences

Question 13

strength of social learning theory (supporting evidence) PEE

Answer 13

a strength of social learning theory is that there is experimental evidence to support the concepts. for example, in Bandura’s study, it was found that children who observed a role model acting aggressively towards a bobo doll, imitated this behaviour. the children who observed a non aggressive male model had a physical aggression score of 7.2 but when the model was non aggressive, the score was 0. therefore, this supports the idea that children learn through observation, and if they pay attention and retain the information, they will reproduce this and imitate the actions of the role model. however, bandura’s study was a lab experiment, meaning that the task was artificial and it lacked ecological validity. despite this, Boyatzis did a field experiment where participants who watched a violent show produced violent behaviour.

Question 14

strength of social learning theory (compliments) PEE

Answer 14

a strength of social learning theory is that it is a comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising mediational processes. for example, gender/age. the theory suggests that a role model is most likely to be imitated when they are the same gender, and same age or older. this is because the individual can relate or identify with this model, whilst also wanting to be like them/looking up to them. therefore, this is a strength because it gives a wider explanation with a deeper understanding for why some individuals may imitate a model, whilst others won’t.

Question 15

weakness of social learning theory (criticism) PEE

Answer 15

a weakness of social learning theory is that it fails to explain crimes where the individual was not exposed to a role model or vicarious reinforcement. for example, some crimes are not covered in the media but still occur and it does not consider biological explanations such as genetics or brain structure. therefore, this is a weakness because it makes it an incomplete explanation of human behaviour/learning.

Question 16

weakness of social learning theory (criticism) PEE

Answer 16

a weakness of social learning theory is that it does not explain why people are not criminal if they have seen violence in the media or at home. for example, if someone grows up in a violent household, they will not necessarily imitate this behaviour, despite being exposed to vicarious reinforcement. therefore, this is a weakness because it cannot be a complete explanation as it fails to explain how some people imitate role models and commit crimes while others don’t. therefore, it could be said to be a reductionist view.

Question 17

what is an application of social learning theory?

Answer 17

sabido method:
promotes prosocial behaviour by using popular characters as role models to tackle social issues. research has shown that this has been effective in increasing the use of contraception and using censorship.

Question 18

how can a role model influence criminal / antisocial behaviour in someone?

Answer 18

factors that increase the probability of someone imitating a role model include gender, age and social status. if they are similar age and same gender, the individual can identify with this person, increasing their capability of reproducing the behaviour. if they are older or have a higher social status, this will make the individual want to be like them. this is further increased by vicarious reinforcement if the role model is rewarded financially or socially.