CLJ 220 EXAM 3: Reading: The Social Learning Theory of Crime and Deviance Ronald L. Akers and Wesley G. Jennings:

Social Learning Theory

Explains crime through social interaction and learning.

Differential Association

Learning from interactions with others' normative definitions.

Priority

Order in which definitions are learned.

Frequency

How often definitions are reinforced.

Duration

Length of exposure to influential definitions.

Intensity

Emotional significance of relationships influencing behavior.

Definitions

Attitudes about behaviors as right or wrong.

General Definitions

Broad moral values regarding behavior.

Specific Definitions

Attitudes towards particular acts of behavior.

Positive Definitions

Encouraging views on behaviors (e.g., crime is cool).

Neutralizing Definitions

Justifications for deviant behavior (e.g., need for theft).

Differential Reinforcement

Influence of rewards and punishments on behavior.

Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding outcome following a behavior.

Negative Reinforcement

Removal of unpleasant outcome after behavior.

Positive Punishment

Adding adverse consequence to reduce behavior.

Negative Punishment

Removing positive outcome to decrease behavior.

Imitation

Mimicking behaviors observed in others.

Differential Social Organization

Community characteristics affecting crime rates.

Differential Location in Social Structure

Individual sociodemographic factors influencing behavior.

Empirical Support

Studies show strong links between social learning and crime.

Prevention Programs

Cognitive-behavioral strategies to reshape deviant attitudes.

Restorative Justice

Fosters accountability and prosocial behavior reintegration.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Targets antisocial values to reduce recidivism.

Critiques

Oversimplification and ethical concerns in application.