Download Social Process Theories

Social Process Theories
Social Learning Theory
Social Control Theory
Labeling Theory
Social Process
These are MICRO theories
Need both micro and macro for a “complete”
explanation of crime
Process = individual interacting with social
units or agencies over time
Social Learning Theory
Edwin Sutherland
Differential Association
Albert Bandura
Akers
(With Burgess) Differential Reinforcement
Social Learning Theory
Gerald Patterson
Social Interactional Theory
Edwin Sutherland
Degree in Sociology from the University of
Chicago (1913)
Faculty member (1930-1935)
Chicago School question: how are delinquent
cultures “transmitted” across generations?
Answer? “Differential Association”
Published and revised in his textbook from 19341947
Differential Association
Criminal Behavior is learned
Negatively, this means it is not “invented”
Communication within intimate groups
Learning involves techniques and attitudes
Attitudes expresses as “definitions of the situation”
A person becomes delinquent because of an
“excess of definitions favorable to law violation”
The process involves the same learning
process as all other behavior
Differential Association
This is a GENERAL theory
Explains “white collar crimes” as well as
“street crimes”
Very abstract and vague
What are “definitions?”
What are the mechanics of learning?
Albert Bandura
Social Learning Theory (1973)
Pulled together principles of learning
Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Vicarious learning
Ronald Akers
Brought differential association in line
with psychological principles of learning
Differential Reinforcement theory
Now, “Social Learning Theory”
Central Concepts
Differential Association
Attitudes Toward Crime
Reinforcement
Imitation (role modeling)
Testing Social Learning
Surveys: Theory tested with 2 variables
Exposure to Deviant Peers
Attitudes Favorable Towards Crime
Variables consistently predict deviance,
but causal order is questionable
Testing Social Learning II
Experimental Studies
Don Andrews (1980) group therapy
experiments
Token Economies
“Cognitive/Behavioral Programs”
Skills Training
Reduce “Criminal Thinking Errors”
Criticisms of Social Learning and
Differential Association
Where do initial “definitions” or
“techniques” come from?
Assumption about human nature
Causal ordering is backwards
Policy Implications
If crime is learned, it can be “unlearned”
Token Economy
Role modeling
Eliminate “rationalizations,” or “criminal
thinking errors”
Learn pro-social (competing) behaviors
Training parent’s (Patterson)
Behavior contracts
Gerald Patterson
Social Interactional Theory
Focus on the Early Childhood
Effective Parents:
Monitor/Supervise their child’s behavior
Recognize deviant acts
Consistently Use Rewards and Punishment, and Role
Model Positive Behaviors
Ineffective Parents:
Natter, harsh and inconsistent punishment...
Patterson’s Social
Interactional Theory
Parenting
Context
•SES
•Grandparent’s skill
in parenting
•Single parents
•Difficult child
Parental
Efficacy
•Supervise
•Recognize
•Punish/reward
consistently
Child’s
Antisocial
Behavior