SOC 220: Social Learning Theory

Juveniles learn to engage in delinquency from others

Frequency, amount of reinforcement received or expected, and relative probability of reinforcement all indicate whether delinquent behavior is more likely to occur when (1) frequently reinforced and infrequently punished (2) results or is expected to result in large amounts of reinforcement and little punishment (3) More likely to be reinforced than alternate behaviors

Different behaviors have different probabilities of being reinforced

Positive Reinforcement--- Behavior results in something good ~ positive consequence Negative Reinforcement--- A behavior results in the removal of something bad~ A punisher is removed or avoided

Positive--- Involves the presentation of something bad Negative--- Removal of something good

Individuals usually adopt or internalize standards for their behavior from others and evaluate their own behavior using these standards, praising themselves when they meet these standards and criticizing themselves when they do not

Some individuals experience a range of delinquent acts as intrinsically reinforcing (or reinforcing in and of itself, independent of the reactions of others) "nonsocial reinforcers"

Intermittent--- The reinforcement for an act is not done every single time it is committed but may be at times random or on average every 3rd or fourth act results in significant reinforcement Continuous--- Every act is reinforced

Individuals may be reinforced in some situations than in others ~ distinguish between situations in which delinquency is likely to be reinforced and those in which it is likely to be punished

Delinquents claim that delinquency is excusable when the person is not responsible for his or her own behavior (was drunk)

Delinquents claim that delinquency is excusable when no one is harmed by it

Delinquents claim that delinquency is justifiable when the victim deserves it. This justification is closely related to the code of the street, which claims that violence is justified when others treat you in a disrespectful manner.

Delinquents claim that delinquency is justifiable or excusable when those who condemn them also engage in questionable behavior

Delinquents claim that delinquency is justifiable when it serves some higher purpose

-Juveniles learn to engage in delinquency from others; they reinforce juveniles for delinquency, teach them beliefs that are favorable to delinquency, and expose them to delinquent models.

The strongest predictor of subsequent delinquency are having delinquent friends

Associating with delinquent others may increase delinquency for reasons related to strain or other theories. Ex: Juveniles who associate with delinquent peers may be more likely to engage in delinquency because they are higher in strain; delinquent peers are more likely to abuse one another and get into conflicts with outsiders

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Differentially reinforce their delinquent behavior 2. Teach them beliefs favorable to delinquency 3. Provide delinquent models for them to imitate

Frequency- How often something is reinforced Amount- The amount of reinforcement received/expected Relative Probability of Reinforcement- Likelihood to be reinforced than alternative behaviors Ex: Reinforced every time for killing a man, get $50000, and gain more likely to be praised for killing than working 8-5 job. [Differential reinforcement ~ different behaviors have different probabilities of being reinforced]

Positive Reinforcement--- The behavior results in something good Negative Reinforcement--- A behavior results in the removal of something bad Ex: Stop Fighting with siblings: Positive--- Receive cookies. Negative--- Parents stop yelling at you. Positive Punishment--- Presentation of something bad Negative Punishment--- Removal of something good Ex: Hit your girlfriend: Positive--- Sent to jail. Negative--- No longer can find work because of felony charge.

---Social reinforcements/punishments ---Self-reinforcement/punishment ---Intrinsically reinforcing/punishing Social learning theory emphasizes other people's role in reinforcing and punishing our behaviors

Intermittent reinforcement--- Not being reinforced for every act committed but rather randomly or some average; it's not fixed. Ex: Robbing a store before being praised: 3, 5, 10, 2, 1. Your praises are guaranteed with each job but they might form some average or might not.

Discriminative--- Being reinforced in some situations but not reinforced in others or even punished. Ex: Drinking alcohol with peers might be reinforced but with parents it may be frowned upon.

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Generally Approve of Minor Delinquency Ex: Sex b/t two consenting adolescents Ex: Alcohol / Drug Use 2. Conditionally Approve of Delinquency, Including Some Serious Delinquency [Wrong but excusable/justifiable under certain conditions] Ex: Fighting for ones' respect or status Ex: [1] Denial of responsibility, [2] Denial of injury, [3] Denial of victim, [4] Condemnation of the condemners, [5] Appeal to higher loyalties 3. General Values Conducive to Delinquency [Attraction to "excitement," disdain for hard work and a desire for quick, easy success, and a high value on being"macho"] Ex: Shoplifting gives me a thrill b/c I'm screwing the big corporations Ex: Yeah, I can whoop that punk's ass; I always fight to win

[1] Denial of responsibility, Ex: I was drunk [2] Denial of injury, Ex: Insurance will cover it [3] Denial of victim, Ex: She was asking for it [4] Condemnation of the condemners, Ex: All cops are crooked [5] Appeal to higher loyalties, Ex: I did it to help my friends

Juveniles learn beliefs favorable to delinquency from others, including family members, friends, community residents, and the media. Juveniles often come to adopt such beliefs after engaging in delinquency

-Imitation will result in reinforcement -Imitate a model when we "like or respect the model, see the model receive reinforcement, see the model give off signs of pleasure, or are in an environment where imitating the model's performance is reinforced

Ex: Punish aggression in their children by spanking or beating them Ex: parents who smoke or drink may warn their children about the dangers of drug use

-Data from a wide range of studies demonstrate the importance of imitation. -A large number of experimental studies have exposed individuals to aggressive models and then observed the impact of such exposure on the subjects' behavior -Survey studies examined effect of imitation on delinquency -Field studies reveal importance of imitation