the learning approach

what are the assumptions of the learning approach

behaviours are learned from those around us in our environment

by changing the environment we develop/exist in we should be able to reduce undesirable behaviours

we make decisions about behaviours based on though processes

behaviours are more likely to happen if the environment gives us rewards + is less likely to happen if given punishments

what are 3 challenges to the learning approach

ignores any biological influences

you can have people who grow up in the same environment but don’t engage in the same behaviours 

‘environmental’ theories are hard to test as variables as they can’t be easily isolated/controlled

what are the 9 key principles of differential association

criminal behaviour is learned rather than inherited

behaviour is learned a through association

association happens in close personal groups

techniques and attitudes are learned

learning is directional (pro/anti-crime attitudes)

we will be more likely to commit crimes if we encounter more favourable than unfavourable attitudes

learning experiences are individual (vary in frequency/intensity)

criminal behaviours are learned in the same way as others

need isn’t a good enough explanation for crime (many people need things but don’t commit crimes)

what are 2 strengths of differential association

explains offences from both working and middle class offenders - many theories focus heavily on wc so covers a larger range/number of crimes

Akers - studied 2500 male and female teens and found that peer influence was the most important feature in variation of drinking and drug behaviour 

what are 2 limitations of differential association

can’t explain all kinds of crime - explains petty crimes but not more extreme (e.g. rape)

theory focuses on social processes at the expense of biology (some behaviours may be linked to neural or genetic explanations)