Social Learning Theory As An Explanation For Criminal Behaviour Flashcards
What characteristics can role models have?
Same gender, similar age and have a high status
How can an individual learn criminal behaviour?
By observing role models who commit crime and imitating their behaviour
Who are typical role models?
Family members, peers, friends or role models in the media
Who may imitation be most likely with and why?
Characters on TV or celebrities in the media as they have high social status and may be viewed as clever, attractive, strong and successful
Who’s theory was social learning theory?
Banduras
When is modelling most likely to occur?
When the observer pays attention, retains the information and reproduces what they have observed and when they are motivated to do so.
Motivation to model behaviour is affected by??
Vicarious reinforcement, external motivation and self reinforcement.
What is vicarious learning?
It is not a direct reward or punishment but is when an individual learns by watching others be rewarded or punished for their behaviour. If rewarded, the observer will be more likely to imitate.
What is external motivation?
External motivation will arise if a criminal act imitated by the observers is rewarded. It is likely to be repeated again as they will like the reward and what to experience it again.
What is self reinforcement?
When an internal need is satisfied such as excitement and so the behaviour is more motivating and more likely to be imitated.
