The social learning theory of crime

Do you remember the rules of social learning theory? We learnt 4

The rules Children/people copy They make a choice about who they copy They are more likely to copy a higher status same sex role model They are most likely to copy if they see their model rewarded. (Vicarious reinforcement)

The extra new rules Behaviour has to be noticed The behaviour has to be remembered the person has to be capable of reproducing the behaviour There has to be a motivation to repeat the behaviour

Modelling Refers to the behaviour being demonstrated as well as being reproduced

Application of theory social learning theory of crime This is means taking these rules and suggesting that, as this is how most people learn most things, then this is how people learn to become criminals! Furthermore it can explain why people choose to become criminals. (i.e. if a person strongly identifies with a role model, they really want to be like them and so a long term role model who is a criminal is somebody the person wants to become like and so they choose a life of crime and copy the behaviour in order to learn how to be like their hero/model)

Applying social learning theory to understanding how people learn to be criminals involves describing a suggested process You have to describe the process that goes on when a person decides to copy a certain behaviour and further processes involved in continuing to copy that behaviour to the point that the person themselves become a criminal

Activity Read a story about a boy of 15 named Joe Use what you know of social learning theory to explain what happened to Joe that resulted in him committing a number of criminal acts.

My story Joe was a lonely boy. For the early part of his life he had gone to 6 schools as his father, a soldier travelled around with his different postings. Then Joe’s dad left him and his mum, and had a baby with a girl only 9 years a older than Joe. Joe was very angry with his dad. Although he was also angry at his mum for letting it happen. A local gang had allowed Joe to join them. Taz the gang leader often asked him to do little tasks for him such as sending messages or buying sweets for him. Taz wouldn’t let the others go too far bullying or teasing Joe .Joe wished he could be like Taz. Everyone liked him, he made them all laugh but was so tough no one would ever disagree with him. Taz had respect. No one respected Joe and from his point of view no one liked him either. When Taz was short of money he would shoplift what he needed. When Taz was angry he would cause damage to property in the park. When Taz was bored he would steal a car. It wasn’t long before Joe would join Taz in the stolen cars. One day when Joe wanted to impress a girl he thought he would steal a car by himself.

Now from your story we have to unpick and label the elements of social learning theory. Try to label the processes of social learning theory in your story. Eg:- That bits the copying That bits the choosing a high status role model That bits the noticing That bits the motivation

Take each rule and say how it applies to Joe 1 Children/people copy So Joe is quite likely to copy the behaviour he sees around him anyway 2. They make a choice about who they copy Joe has chosen to hang around with Taz he does this repeatedly so having chosen it it must be reinforcing in some way 3. They are more likely to copy a higher status same sex role model Joe looks up to Taz he is older people like him and respect him Taz is therefore an older high status role model (within the cultural norms that Joe is living in) he is also male so it is very likely that Joe would choose to copy him 4. They are most likely to copy if they see their model rewarded. (Vicarious reinforcement) Joe sees Taz get rewarded in many ways. He gets a buz when he shoplifts or steals cars. He gets praise from the gang he gets things for free and he seems to look happier after he has vented his anger through vandalism. Most of all he is liked and has respect. That is exactly the type of reward Joe would like

5. Behaviour has to be noticed Joe notices everything Taz does because he admires him and spends time with him. Stories about events are often reputed to show off to others. He could hardly fail to notice 6. The behaviour has to be remembered The events are too exciting to forget 7. The person has to be capable of reproducing the behaviour Joe is able bodied and has been watching Taz drive for months 8. There has to be a motivation to repeat the behaviour Joe is angry at his dad, getting into trouble is perfect revenge. Joe wants respect being a bad boy gets respect. Joe wants excitement its exciting. Joe wants to impress a girl. Joe has plenty of motivation to continue to copy Taz s behaviour In the eyes of the law Joe is now a criminal if he internalises this label he will be a criminal in every sense

I would like you to remember here that although social learning theory is a theory in its own right it shares many concepts with traditional behaviourism/learning theory It does not dispute the role of primary and secondary reinforcement in learning Nor does it dispute the role of punishment They disagree with behaviourist over the issue of the person making a choice in their role model They claim that most behaviour is learnt by copying but accept that a lot of behaviour is learnt through direct experiences of reinforcement and punishment. And they agree that once a person has chosen to copy a behaviour they are more likely to continue to use that behaviour if they find it reinforcing. So when you discuss the processes of social learning theory in criminal behaviour do not be afraid to use behaviourist concepts

Evaluate the SLT Explanation of Crime Strengths Weaknesses