linsey- learning theories

• leanring theories of crime;

  criminal behaviours is learnt: immediate social environment (family and peer groups). learning is conditioned through reinforcement and punishment
• Sutherlands differential association theory:

  crime is taught by family/peer groups/collegues and cultural groups. Limitations= acquiring criminal skills by observing others Learning attitudes= socialisation exposes individuals to attitudes and values about the law. link to crime= learning helps justify and reinforce criminal behaviour, techniques of neutralisation are used to excuse behaviour
• operant learning theory:

  B.F.Skinner, rewarding behaviour often leads to that behaviour being repeated, maximise pleasure and minimise pain Behaviourism= reinforcement and punishment shape behaviour Link to crime= reinforcement theory- the rewards of crime outweigh the punishment, rewards could be financial or emotional
• Social learning theory:

  Albert Bandura, behaviour is learnt through immitating other Modelling behaviour=those with status and authority model behaviour, if model behaviour is reinforced with praise it is likely to be copied. Vicarious reinforcement=this occurs when you learn behaviour by seeing another person being rewarded link to crime= bobo dolls
• social policies:


  youth offending terms- work in a community, deliver rehabilitation programs, encourage good behaviours. token economies- used in prison and rewards good behaviour, but could mean they are only conforming in prison and wort when they come out