Bobo Doll Experiment Social Learning

Bobo Doll Experiment Social Learning Theory

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Bobo Doll Experiment Social Learning Theory

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THEORIES OF CRIME.4
 CR 4550 Dr. Lee Blackstone

Do people learn criminal behavior?

Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura (1925- )

Although Bandura is associated with work in psychology, his findings concerning social learning theory are legendary.

The Bobo Doll Experiment

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Bandura’s famous work showed that children could learn violence through observing a model’s behavior: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU

Edwin Sutherland (1883-1950)

Edwin Sutherland is considered the ‘father of American criminology’ Was interested, initially, in studying professional theft, and proposed a theory about white collar criminals

Edwin Sutherland

“White collar crime is crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation. “– from White Collar Crime (1949) Note the emphasis on a person’s status

Edwin Sutherland

Sutherland’s interest in white collar crime (and crime, more generally) came from the experience of the Great Depression (from 1929, to the early 1940’s). Sutherland saw friends and family have to struggle to survive – and commit acts that they might not have considered before.

Edwin Sutherland

Sutherland wrote the most important Criminology textbook of his era The first edition was in 1924, followed by revisions in 1934 and 1939 Only in his textbook did Sutherland state his Theory of Differential Association (the final version of which appeared in the 1947 edition of Principles of Criminology)

It could be argued that there are both ‘micro’ (processual) and ‘macro’ (structural) elements to Sutherland’s theory. The ‘micro’ level would have to do with how individuals learn to commit crimes; the ‘macro’ level would address structures (i.e., the economy; neighborhoods) that affect how people interact.

Theory of Differential Association

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Criminal behavior is learned. Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication. The principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes a.) the techniques of committing the crime, which are sometimes very complicated, sometimes very simple, and b.) the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

The specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. **A person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of law. (This is the Principle of Differential Association.)

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

The process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. (These are ‘modalities’ of association.)

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Although criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those general needs and values, because noncriminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

The first point Sutherland makes is that criminal behavior is learned (this is repeated over and over)… But learned where, and how? Emphasis on primary groups (i.e., the family), or ‘intimate’ groups. …Through a process of SYMBOLIC INTERACTION.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

The sixth proposition is the ‘principle of differential association’: a person has learned ‘definitions’ favorable to violation of law that outweigh the definitions in support of obeying the law.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Sutherland’s theory isn’t about associating with ‘bad people’; it doesn’t assume that you are surrounded by particular types of people. The main aspect is learning criminal behavior through communication – and the balance of criminal and non- criminal ‘definitions.’ How do others’ definitions of the law, of deviance, of conformity — affect you?

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

What is the balance?

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Keep in mind: a person can learn conformist behavior, even from an individual (or individuals) who have broken the law.

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Proposition Seven of the Theory: ‘Modalities of Association’

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

PROBLEMS with theory? * What does an ‘excess of definitions’ mean? How many definitions does it take before a person might choose to deviate/violate the law?

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

How might the theory explain judges’ and police officers’ behavior – people who are surrounded by individuals with different ‘definitions’ regarding the law on a daily basis?

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association (1947)

Does the theory actually explain how people learn to commit criminal/deviant acts? Point Eight of the theory states that “all mechanisms of learning are involved in criminal behavior.” What does this mean?

Ronald Akers (1939 – ) and Robert Burgess’ ‘Differential Association Reinforcement’ Theory

Akers and Burgess proposed a more expansive theory, keeping Sutherland’s differential association principles, but adding in additional elements. Also agreed with importance of ‘symbolic interaction’ – leading the theory towards a ‘soft behaviorism.’

Ronald Akers

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Akers and Burgess

Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning

‘Differential reinforcement’ – rewards/ punishments – condition and shape

voluntary (operant) behavior

Akers and Burgess: Social Learning Theory

Criminality OR Conformity has to balance these different behavioral influences.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

! Process of being exposed to normative definitions favorable or

unfavorable to breaking law

A KEY difference from Sutherland: Akers believed that you could either learn in DIRECT interaction with others – or with

INDIRECT ASSOCIATION and IDENTIFYING with a role model or group not immediately present.

Akers’ theory keeps Sutherland’s ‘modalities of association’

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

!Your own attitudes/meanings attached to a particular behavior.

Includes how you rationalize an act – it is a MORAL orientation about an act as right/wrong, justified/unjustified.

‘Definitions’ may be ‘general’ (i.e., in the sense of a broad religious world- view), or specific (in regards to a particular act).

The more you approve of an act: the more likely you are to do it; the more you disapprove, the less likely.

‘Neutralizing’ definitions justify/approve of an act.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

!Your own attitudes/meanings attached to a particular behavior.

Some definitions favoring deviance are strongly held – almost ‘requiring’ a person to violate the law. (For example: radical ideologies of revolutionary groups.)

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Refers to the ANTICIPATED or ACTUAL rewards (or punishments) related to a behavior. ”

! Such as…money, love…or even avoiding punishment.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Akers added the idea of ‘modalities of reinforcement’ – amount, frequency, and probability of reinforcement.

Reinforcement can also be ‘nonsocial’ – that is, it can come through the effects of things, such as alcohol…which the individual may discover to be pleasurable (or not).

Reinforcement means people CAN learn without ‘direct contact.’

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Reinforcement may therefore refer to actual – or anticipated – rewards.

As such, reinforcement carries great symbolic value.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Imitation occurs AFTER observing a behavior in others.

It is an important step when first learning a new behavior…but is not really necessary once the behavior has been learned/ mastered.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory: A Process

Depends on: Person’s ‘learning history,’ and the CONTEXT in which there is an opportunity to commit a crime

Akers states that there are ‘reciprocal’ and ‘feedback’ effects…a time sequence by which a person acts in a deviant manner, or violates the law

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Definitions do not always come before an act…they can be applied retroactively to excuse/justify a behavior. Excuses/justification can become the basis for repeating an act in the future.

Akers’ Social Learning Theory

Nonetheless…the theory would predict that people are more likely to be attracted to delinquency FIRST because of delinquent associations (family, friends) – rather than becoming delinquent on one’s own, and then seeking out delinquent associations.

Akers’ Social Structure and Social Learning Model

These affect the learning context for individuals – and describe the structures that can have an impact on whether a person is exposed to deviance or

conformity.

Problems with/Strengths of Learning Theory?

Somewhat tautological… why? Importance of family and peer groups (esp. family, as the place where self-control is learned) BUT — Can deviance be learned within the family? In light of the theory…what would make for effective parenting?

Primary Group Influence

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Children who experience crime/delinquent behavior at home are more likely to act in deviant/criminal ways. Deviance at home may be exacerbated by differential peer association. (This is one of THE best-known findings in criminology.) In light of the theory – gangs provide primary, intense, and frequent contact with

crime and deviance.

How would you utilize Social Learning Theory to decrease crime?

How would you utilize Social Learning Theory to decrease crime?

‘Teaching Family’ Model

‘Retroactive Reformation’ (a

concept from Donald Cressey)

Bobo Doll Experiment Social Learning Theory

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