Criminology - U2 - AC2.2 - Bandura's Social Learning Theory

Bandura's Social Learning Theory

Bandura's Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggests that individuals develop behaviours through observational learning, meaning they watch and imitate role models rather than learning purely through direct experience. This theory highlights the role of the environment in shaping behaviour, particularly through imitation, modelling, and reinforcement. SLT argues that criminal behaviour can be learned in the same way as prosocial behaviour, meaning individuals who observe crime may be more likely to imitate it if the behaviour is seen as rewarding.

Key Principles of Social Learning Theory

Bandura proposed that social learning occurs in four stages, or mediational processes: attention, where individuals focus on a role model's behaviour; retention, where they remember and mentally store the behaviour; reproduction, where they attempt to copy it in a relevant situation; and motivation, where they repeat the behaviour if it results in a positive outcome. This process explains how individuals learn behaviours, including criminal ones, by observing and imitating others.

Observational Learning

Observational learning is the process of acquiring new behaviours by watching others. Unlike learning through direct consequences, individuals internalise behaviours without needing to experience them firsthand. This explains how people may adopt criminal or aggressive behaviours if they frequently witness them in their environment, especially from role models they admire.

Role Models

Role models are influential individuals whose behaviour is observed and imitated by others. They are typically similar to the observer in characteristics such as gender and background, of higher status due to factors like age, fame, or wealth, and seen as successful or authoritative figures.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Vicarious reinforcement occurs when individuals observe someone else being rewarded or punished for their actions, influencing whether they choose to imitate the behaviour themselves. If a person sees a role model being rewarded through gaining money, respect, or status from a crime, they are more likely to copy it, whereas if they see a role model being punished through arrest or social rejection, they are less likely to imitate it.

Bobo Doll Experiment

Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment (1961) demonstrated how children learn aggression through observation. Children watched an adult model behave aggressively or non-aggressively towards a Bobo doll. Those who saw the adult hitting, kicking, and shouting at the doll were more likely to imitate the aggression, especially if the model was rewarded. This supports SLT by showing that behaviours—both positive and negative—can be learned purely through observation, reinforcing the idea that exposure to criminal behaviour could increase the likelihood of imitation.

Jamie Bulger Case - Overview

In 1993, ten-year-olds Robert Thompson and Jon Venables abducted and murdered two-year-old Jamie Bulger. Media reports suggested they had been influenced by violent scenes from Child's Play 3, which sparked debates on the impact of violent media on children's behaviour.

Jamie Bulger Case - Connection to SLT

During the trial, Mr Justice Morland stated, "I suspect exposure to violent video films may in part be an explanation." This case highlighted how media exposure might encourage imitation of criminal behaviour, supporting SLT's view that behaviour is learned through observation. However, critics argue that a range of psychological, social, and environmental factors also contributed to the crime.