Social learning theory suggests that
learning is a cognitive(intellectual) process that takes place within a social context and can occur purely through observation or direct instruction, even in the absence of motor reproduction or direct reinforcement.
Not only does the observation of behavior influence social learning but also by witnessing the
rewards and punishments following certain actions which is known as vicarious reinforcement
Criminologists Ronald Akers and Robert Burgess integrated the principles of social learning theory and operant conditioning with
Edwin Sutherland's Differential Association Theory to create a comprehensive theory of criminal behavior.
Burgess and Akers emphasized that criminal behavior is learned in both social and nonsocial situations through
combinations of direct reinforcement, vicarious reinforcement, explicit instruction, and observation
he probability of being exposed to certain behaviors and the nature of the reinforcement are
dependent on group norms
Differential association is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that
through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.
Differential association
does not concern itself with why they become criminals, Interactionism focuses on the construction of boundaries in society and persons' perceptions of them
Learning Theory is considered a positivist approach because
it focuses on specific acts, opposed to the more subjective position of social impressions on one's identity, and how those may compel to act.
Social Learning basis itself off of 5 main principles #1 is
Learning is not purely behavioral; rather, it is a cognitive process that takes place in a social context.
Social Learning basis itself off of 5 main principles #2 is
Learning can occur by observing a behavior and by observing the consequences of the behavior (vicarious reinforcement).
Social Learning basis itself off of 5 main principles #3 is
Learning involves observation, extraction of information from those observations, and making decisions about the performance of the behavior (observational learning or modeling). Thus, learning can occur without an observable change in behavior.
Social Learning basis itself off of 5 main principles #4 is
Reinforcement plays a role in learning but is not entirely responsible for learning.
Social Learning basis itself off of 5 main principles #5 is
he learner is not a passive recipient of information.
Cognition, environment, and behavior all mutually influence each other (reciprocal determinism).
Bandura outlined three types of modeling stimuli for social learning
Live model, symbolic, and verbal instruction.
Live Model
in which an actual person is demonstrating the desired behavior
Verbal Instruction
in which an individual describes the desired behavior in detail and instructs the participant in how to engage in the behavior
Symbolic
in which modeling occurs by means of the media, including movies, television, Internet, literature, and radio. Stimuli can be either real or fictional characters.
