Social Learning Theory of Criminality

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on key concepts, processes, and criticisms of the Social Learning Theory of criminality.

Social Learning Theory

A theory in criminal psychology asserting that criminals learn their behaviors through the observation of others committing criminal acts.

Observation

The single most important process in social learning theory through which individuals watch others commit acts and learn criminal behaviors.

Identification

A process where an individual looks up to a role model, often because they share characteristics with them, and decides they want to be like them.

Role Models

People that individuals look up to and identify with, typically including parents, peers, and media figures.

Vicarious Reinforcement

The process of observing someone else being rewarded for a behavior, which leads the observer to imitate that same behavior.

Direct Reinforcement

The process of being directly rewarded oneself for performing a specific behavior.

Internalization

The stage when a behavior is so well learned that it becomes a fully integrated, normal part of an individual's behavior, occurring regardless of good or bad consequences.

Origin Criticism of SLT

A criticism of social learning theory stating that if criminal behavior is learned through imitation, the theory fails to explain where the very first criminal originated from.

Nature vs. Nurture Criticism of SLT

A criticism of social learning theory asserting that it heavily favors nurture over nature, ignoring biological factors such as a potential criminal gene.