individualistic learning

Cards (9)

  • Sutherland differential association theory:
    • KEY IDEA = criminality is the result of imitation and learned attitudes in groups that favour law breaking
    • STUDY = group attitudes in the workplace often normalise behaviour. members are able to justify their crimes as everyone is doing it. (White collar)
  • strengths of Sutherland:
    • crime often runs in the family
    • MATTHEWS = juvenile delinquents are more likely too have friends who commit anti social acts. they learn from peer groups
  • limitation of Sutherland:
    • not everyone exposed to criminal influences become criminal
  • skinner operant learning theory
    • KEY IDEA = if a behaviour results in reward it will be repeated. if it results in punishment it will not
    • THIS LINKS TO CRIME = Jeffery's differential reinforcement theory suggests crime must have more rewards than punishments for criminals
  • strengths of skinner:
    • JEFFERY = Differential reinforcement theory suggests crime must have more rewards than punishment for criminals
    • if behaviour has rewards it will be repeated. if behaviour has punishments it will not
  • limitations of skinner:
    • animals are not the same as humans. this study was only done on rats/mice
    • ignores free will of humans. too deterministic
    • theory ignores mental processes such as thinking, attitudes and values
  • bandura social learning theory:
    • KEY IDEA = much of our behaviour is learned from role models
    • IMITATION = we are more likely to imitate people of higher status than us if we see them being rewarded
    • EVIDENCE = bobo doll study. children imitate violent adult if they were rewarded
  • strengths of bandura:
    • shows importance of role models when learning deviance
    • takes account of social nature as we learn from others experience
  • limitations of bandura:
    • based on lab studies so lacks validity
    • ignores free will so its too deterministic
    • not all observed behaviour is easily imitated. may see criminals rewarded but lack skills to copy