1. Social Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura

2. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
Describe Social Learning Theory
Apply Social Learning Theory and behaviourist explanations of learning to criminal Behaviour
Describe and evaluate Research Studies to support the social Learning explanation of criminal behaviour

3. Social Learning Theory
Is the theory that we learn behaviour through observation.
Criminal behaviour is seen as no different from any other type of behaviour that can be learnt through observation.
Individuals learn from role ‘models’.

4. Social Learning Theory
Key Terms
Observational Learning
Vicarious (Indirect) Reinforcement
Vicarious (Indirect) Punishment
Model
Imitation
Mental Representation (Cognition)
For your Notes

5. Social Learning Stages
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
Imitation

6. Model Characteristics
Age
Gender
Status

7. Exam Board Mark Scheme The role of direct reinforcement in aggression
The role of indirect reinforcement in aggression
The role of observational learning
Modelling (e.g. stages, characteristics of the role model)
Key studies into the social learning theory of aggression (e.g. Bandura et al’s ‘Bobo doll’ study)

8. Research Study Bandura et al. (1961) Video Clip

9. reinforced then children are more likely to imitate.
Imitation is due to the consequence of the observed behaviour.
If it is……………
reinforced then children are more likely to imitate.
punished then children are less likely to imitate.
The observed reinforcement and punishment.
Is vicarious.

10. Bandura variation study 1963
Group 1~ The aggression from the adult was REINFORCED by praise
Group 2~ The aggression from the adult was PUNISHED (told off)
Group 3~ The aggression from the adult had no response (control group)

11. Later children were able to play with the ‘bobo doll’:
Group 1~ Children imitated many of the verbal and physical behaviours (aggressive reinforced model)
Group 2~ Children imitated the behaviour the least (aggressive punishment model)
Group 3~ Children imitated the model some of the time (control model- neither reinforced or punished)

12. What does all that mean?
Aggressive and violent behaviour can be learnt from observing the behaviour of models. Individuals learn from watching the behaviour of those around them, even when they themselves are not being directly reinforced.

13. It has been estimated that a child entering secondary school will have seen 8,000 murders and 100,000 other violent acts on TV.
Eron (1995)

14. The ‘how to guide’ of applying a theory to explain criminality

15. Step One State the theory
One psychological theory that could be applied to explaining why a person may engage in a criminal act is Social learning theory.

16. Outline the Rules of the Theory?
Step Two
Outline the Rules of the Theory?
Do you know the rules of social learning theory?
Write them down
ARRMI

17. The rules Behaviour has to be noticed (ATTENTION)
The behaviour has to be remembered (RETENTION)
the person has to be capable of reproducing the behaviour (REPRODUCTION)
There has to be a motivation to repeat the behaviour (MOTIVATION)
Leading to IMITATION

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

19. Further more 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)

20. Step Three Apply social learning theory to explaining crime
It is time to link it all together. Be Specific. This is means taking these rules and suggesting that, as this is how most people learn most things, that 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, if the role model is a criminal then……

21. S. O. A. C State the theory Outline the theory (fully)
Apply the theory (be specific to AT LEAST ONE element of the theory and link to the question)
Check you have answered the question

22. You will have to describe the process that goes on when a person decides to copy a certain behaviour. You also need to describe the further processes involved in continuing to copy that behaviour to the point that the person themselves become a criminal

23. 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.
See your work sheet

24. Joe was a lonely boy of 14. In the early part of his life he attended 6 different schools as his father, a soldier, travelled around with his different postings. Then when he was 12, Joe’s dad left him and his mum for another woman. He had a baby with a girl only 7 years older than Joe! Joe was very angry with his dad. He hated him. He was also angry with his mum for letting it happen. Joe was unhappy at home and spent most of his time bunking off school and hanging out in the town centre.
A local gang allowed Joe to join them. Taz the gang leader often asked Joe to do little tasks for him such as sending messages, or buying sweets. Taz also looked out for Joe, he wouldn’t let the other gang members go too far bullying or teasing him. Joe wished he could be like Taz. Everyone liked Taz, people looked up to him, he made everyone laugh, but he was tough too. 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 broke he shoplifted what he wanted. When Taz was angry he would cause damage to property in the park. When Taz was bored he would steal a car or break into a building looking for things to steal.
It wasn’t long before Joe started to joy ride along with Taz in the stolen cars.
One day Joe met Chardonnay in the park. He thought she was well fit and he wanted to impress her. So he decided to steal a car by himself.

25. Unpick the story and label the elements of social learning theory
Unpick the story and label the elements of social learning theory. noticing copying choosing a high status role model motivation

26. 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
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

27. 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

28. Although social learning theory is a theory in its own right it shares many concepts with traditional behaviourism/learning theory.
SLT does not dispute the role of primary and secondary reinforcement in learning. Nor does it dispute the role of punishment.
However SL theorists 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.

29. Evaluate the SLT Explanation of Crime CASTLES
Strengths
Weaknesses

31. Shows the uniqueness of the individual
Evaluation of the Social Learning theory ‘CASTLES’
What are the strengths of this theory?
What are the weaknesses of this theory?
Shows the uniqueness of the individual
Explain why certain people learn different behaviours
There is research evidence to support this theory
The theory has a practical application it can help to rehabilitate offenders.
However supporting research is largely based on Laboratory Studies ..e.g.
It does not account for behaviours that are opportunistic…e.g.
It is determinist in that it suggests that all behaviour is learnt, freedom of choice?   
This theory explains certain types of criminality, but what type does it not explain?

32. An advertising watchdog has criticised a poster for a game on the grounds that it condones violence.
The watchdog ruled that a poster for the game was irresponsible and likely to incite people, especially children, to violence.
Describe and evaluate the claim that images in the media could lead to criminal or violent behaviour. (12)

33. Researcher/s Date Define the Theory Outline the Theory
Define the Theory
Outline the Theory
Apply the Theory
Evaluation
C onflicting Evidence
A pplication
S supporting evidence
T estible
L imitations
E vidence (based on)
S ocially sensitive