Social Learning Explanations for Crime

• Albert Bandura 
• Behaviours are learned through observing models
• Whether or not someone is chosen as model depends on a number of factors such as their status

• Vicarious reinforcement 
• Weather or not the model is rewarded for said behaviour

• How similar they are to the imitator 
• Their status

To investigate the potential of modelling by exposing children to various scenarios

• Children watched a film of an adult aggressively treating a bobo doll 
• The consequences of the adults behaviour were varied under 4 conditions 
• After viewing the film the children were put in a room with the doll

• The highest level of imitation occurred with the children who watched a model of their sex who was praised 
• The lowest levels of aggressive behaviour occurred with the children who watched the model get punished for their actions

Aggressive behaviour can be learned through processes such as observation and imitation

• It stressed the uniqueness of the individual and suggests that different people may commit the same crimes for different reasons
• It is argued that each individual's motivations and expectations are based on their learning experiences and mediating cognitive factors

• They underplay factors such as decision making in criminal behaviour 
• Some SLT psychologists have modified the theory to take into account cognitive processes to a greater extent

• Lab studies lack ecological validity as they are too artificial 
• Demand characteristics are more likely

An individuals behaviour is completely determined by their learning experiences and does not acknowledge the possibility of freedom of choice