The Social Learning Theory Of Criminology
Social learning theory is a theoretical premise that has an importance in criminology, sociology, and psychology. It goes further to develop prevention for these elements such as criminology and deviance. The development of social learning theory began when Akers tried to meld the differential association theory of Sutherland’ sociological approach which originated in 1947, in his other association theory together with principles of behavioral psychology. The following paper seeks to discuss in detail, the social learning theory of criminology.
The differential association theory by Sutherland comprised of nine different propositions which included the following as quoted by Nicholson & Higgins (2017):
The first one stated that Criminal behavior …show more content…
The fifth principle stated that the specific class of behavior which are earned and their frequencies of occurrence are a function of reinforces which are effective and available and the rules or norms by which these reinforces are applied. The sixth principle then stated that criminal behavior is a function of norms which are discriminative for criminal behavior the learning of which takes place when such behavior is more highly reinforced than noncriminal behavior. The seventh principle by Burges and Akers stated that the strength of the criminal behavior is a direct function of the amount, frequency, and probability of …show more content…
Akers gave the description of the principle of social learning theory as (Nicholson & Higgins, 2017) “the probability that persons will engage in criminal and deviant behaviors is increased and the probability of conforming to the norm is decreased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior and espouse definitions favorable to it, are relatively more exposed in-person or symbolically to salient criminal/deviant models, define it as desirable or justified in a situation discriminative for the behavior and received in the past and participate in the current or future situation relatively greater reward than punishment for the
The differential association theory by Sutherland comprised of nine different propositions which included the following as quoted by Nicholson & Higgins (2017):
The first one stated that Criminal behavior …show more content…
The fifth principle stated that the specific class of behavior which are earned and their frequencies of occurrence are a function of reinforces which are effective and available and the rules or norms by which these reinforces are applied. The sixth principle then stated that criminal behavior is a function of norms which are discriminative for criminal behavior the learning of which takes place when such behavior is more highly reinforced than noncriminal behavior. The seventh principle by Burges and Akers stated that the strength of the criminal behavior is a direct function of the amount, frequency, and probability of …show more content…
Akers gave the description of the principle of social learning theory as (Nicholson & Higgins, 2017) “the probability that persons will engage in criminal and deviant behaviors is increased and the probability of conforming to the norm is decreased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior and espouse definitions favorable to it, are relatively more exposed in-person or symbolically to salient criminal/deviant models, define it as desirable or justified in a situation discriminative for the behavior and received in the past and participate in the current or future situation relatively greater reward than punishment for the