Social Learning Theories

Psychological Theories of Crime: Social Learning Theories

Introduction to Social Learning Theories

Social learning theories propose that people internalize moral codes more through the process of socialization-learning behaviors through interaction with others-rather than through a stage-by-stage development process. Specifically, social learning theorists maintain a young person learns how to behave based on how elders (primarily parent figures) respond to the person’s violations of and compliance with rules. Rewards for acceptable behavior and sanctions (penalties) for transgressions indicate what is appropriate behavior.

Repeated instances of reward and sanction also lead to the internalization of these standards. Over time the transgression becomes associated with the sanction, and it produces anxiety even when no one is present to administer sanctions. Through this process children begin to control themselves in a manner consistent with moral and legal codes.

Social learning theories of criminal motivation and behavior have substantial empirical support. A number of studies indicate that deliquents were treated differently by their parents than youths with no record of delinquency. The socialization of delinquents is marked by lax and erratic discipline or by unduly harsh discipline, such as physical punishment. These studies do not describe in detail what effective socialization should be, but they do suggest that social learning is related to criminal involvement. Such studies also indicate that social learning theory is a promising approach to understanding criminal motivation and behavior.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Social Learning Theories in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Social Learning Theories

In this Section

Criminology, Criminology Development (including Classical Criminology, Modern Criminology, Criminology Italian School and Independent Criminology), Criminology Goals, Biological Theories of Crime (including Crime Genetic Factors and Neurological Abnormalities), Psychological Theories of Crime (including Moral Development Theories, Social Learning Theories and Personality Theories), Environmental and Social Theories of Crime (including Social Causes, Social-Structural Theories, Subcultural Theories and Economic Causes of Crime) and

Criminal Opportunity.