social explanations of crime: SLT Flashcards
define ‘attention’ with link to crime
observation of a crime
define ‘retention’ with link to crime
remembering the crime you observed
define ‘reproduction’ with link to crime
knowing whether you are capable to commit the crime yourself
define ‘motivation’ with link to crime
being praised, gaining items from stealing or gaining popularity after committing the crime which encourages you to continue
define ‘vicarious reinforcement’ with link to crime
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.
define ‘positive reinforcement’ with link to crime
being praised or feeling a dopamine / adrenaline hit when committing the crime
define ‘negative reinforcement’ with link to crime ( taking away a chore)
getting out of a bad home situation after committing the crime
define ‘punishment’ with link to crime
going to prisons or losing freedom after committing a crime
what is social learning theory in terms of crime?
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
what is an indication that desensitisation has occurred?
reduction in physiological arousal when exposed to violence and becoming numb to the pain/suffering of others
define ‘desensitisation’
watching violence can lead to aggressive behaviour by removing the anxiety about violence which usually inhibits its use
define ‘disinhibition’
prolonged exposure to violence leading to it being a part of everyday life, reducing the guilt/concern about the consequences
strength of social learning theory (supporting evidence) PEE
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.
strength of social learning theory (compliments) PEE
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.
weakness of social learning theory (criticism) PEE
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.