social learning theory

• what does this theory suggest?

  people learn their criminal behaviours through observation
• how does this happen?

  through identification with role models
• what does identifying with role models mean?

  we decide we want to be like some people we look up to
• what happens when we identify with a role model?

  we imitate their behaviour
• what is vicarious reinforcement?

  we observe someone being rewarded for their behaviour, so we want to do it as well
• what is direct reinforcement?

  when we copy that behaviour and get rewarded
• what is internalisation?

  if we keep repeating that behaviour and getting rewarded for it, it becomes a normal part of our behaviour
• main criticism

  it doesnt explain where the first criminal came from
• another criticism

  focuses too much on the role of nurture and ignores nature