learning theories

what are learning theories?

• learning theories are focused on how individuals acquire criminal behaviours through observation, reinforcement and consequences of behaviours.

• different learning theories focus on the processes behind acquiring these behaviours.

• operant conditioning is associated with the behaviourist approach of skinner.

what did skinner study?

• skinner outlined an approach to learning called operant conditioning.

• skinner argued that behaviour is either repeated or stopped based upon the consequences of that act.

• reinforcement, either positive or negative, can change the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.

• punishments reduce the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated.

what was skinner’s study?

• skinner conducted experiments with rats to see if behaviours could be controlled.

• positive reinforcement for pressing lever - food.

• negative reinforcement was stopping electric shock by pressing lever.

• punishment would occur if a shock was administered after lever pressed.

how does this explain crime?

• positive reinforcement for committing a crime would be the rewards of committing that crime - e.g. financial gain.

• negative reinforcement would cause crime as crime is committed to alleviate a condition - e.g. poverty or substance dependency.

• punishment of crime e.g. imprisonment would reduce the likelihood of further crimes being committed.

what are the strengths and weaknesses of operant conditioning?

• strengths: research support in experiments conducted by skinner found positive and negative reinforcement in animals changed behaviours.

• scientific study that established cause and effect.

• has applications to treatments, such as token economies.

• limitations: largely based upon animal research - humans are more complex and have other social factors impacting on behaviour.

• how does it explain the initial crime? why do people choose to commit crime in the first place?