Learning theories

• Banduras social learning theory (individualistic)


  This is based on the assumption that offending is a set of behaviours learnt the same way as other behaviour - through observation. People engage in crime because of their association with others who also engage in crime. Bandura did an experiment where children watched a model act either aggressively or non-aggressively towards a bobo doll. The children tended to copy the behaviour they were exposed to. Bandura showed that if copying an adults behaviour is rewarding, we are more likely to continue performing this behaviour.
• Evaluate Banduras social learning theory

  This theory is deterministic and ignores cognitive control over behaviour. It fails to consider any other causes of criminality. The bobo doll experiment provides evidence to support this theory. It was repeated with slight variations and produced similar results. This theory helps to explain a variety of different crimes. However, the bobo doll experiment could be considered unethical and produced only a snapshot, with no long term effects discovered. Normally the adult is someone they know. In this experiment, its was someone new so they could behav