Running head: SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

Social learning theory

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SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

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Social learning theory

One of the core assumptions of social learning theory is that learning is a cognitive
process which occurs through direct instructions and observation. This means that people are
likely to commit crime through association with others who are already involved in the
practice. Social learning theory was developed by Akers who was also a behavioral
sociologist. Akers described the social learning theory as an integration of different
behavioral learning theories and differential association. When Akers presented the social
learning theory, it drew attention from the public and his fellow researchers. This essay is
going to analyze the empirical status of social learning theory was explained by Akers in his
first publication titled Social learning and deviant behavior: A specific test of a general
theory."
Discussion
Akers article wanted to test the social learning theory. The theory had four key
components and these included differential association, differential reinforcement, imitation,
and definition. According to Akers, elements of differential reinforcement such as
punishment, conditioning, and operant conditioning heavily influence behaviorism.
Respondent conditioning elicits involuntary actions such as salivation while operant behavior
results in voluntary behaviors and analyzes the nature of consequences that would result from
certain behaviors. Akers included imitation into the social learning theory because it occurs
through observing other people and whether an individual borrows a behavior depends on the
extent or degree of identification.
The concept of differential association played a vital role in the social learning theory
because it determined who would serve as role models. This concept ties social learning
theory and learning of deviant behavior. Akers defined definition as the evaluation of
expression such as approvals and disapproval of a particular behavior. In the social learning

SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

theory, this referred to the attitude formed by an individual towards a particular behavior. It is
the one which is often subject to moral principles and looks at some aspects of norm
violation. Defiant behaviors are common in neutralizing definitions.
The dependent variable for this study was the frequency-of-scale which measured
abuse among users by combining their responses with a queuing frequency thus producing a
list indicating the extent of abuse. For example, it produced a four-point abuse scale which
ranged from no abuse to heavy abuse. Consequently, the independent variables included
different reinforcement, definitions, differential association and imitation. The research
combined social with non-social reinforcement. The named independent variables where the
operationalized by using a set of items that measured a different aspect of each concept. The
collected data was then analyzed using regression technique so as to provide an overall
summary of the findings.
In validating the research hypothesis and findings, the study used both qualitative and
quantitative research methodologies. Study participants were young adolescents alcohol and
Marijuana users. Data were collected by administering questionnaires to 3065 males and their
female counterparts attending seventh grade through 12 in seven communities located in
Midwestern states. Additionally, the schools were sample depending on their average class
size per grade level. The selected study group was significant so as to ensure that the
collected data was an actual representation of the society. One hypothesis of the study was
that the author expected that for both drugs and alcohol, the probability of abstinence
decrease and the frequency of use increase when there is a greater exposure unlike in resistant
model. Another hypothesis of the study was that among users the probability of abuse
increase with more exposure to abusing and not because of moderate or abstinent models
Some of the research propositions included that criminal behaviors are learned based
on the principles of operant conditioning, social and non-social situations. Consequently, it

SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

was evident from the analysis that criminal behaviors such as specific attitudes and
techniques are influenced by available reinforces and already existing reinforcement
contingencies. The study also confirmed that a criminal behaviors strength is highly
influenced the probability and frequency of its reinforcement (Akers, 1979). Akers stated that
avoidance of punishment and positive rewards help in reinforced aggression. Towards the end
of the experiment, it was evident that the results obtained from the test supported the theory
because all the dependent variables were related to the social learning theory. The social
learning theory has been embraced by Practitioners in various social settings. It has been used
to educate adolescent children essential communication and socialization skills
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that the social learning theory has been pivotal in
explaining human behavior and how people acquire certain traits and characteristics. In his,
research Akers investigated on alcohol and marijuana use among 3065 males and their female
counterparts and conforms concluded that criminal behaviors are learned based on the
principles of operant conditioning, social and non-social situations. Additionally, he also
claims that the strength of a criminal behavior depends on the probability and frequency of its
reinforcement. The interpretation of this is therefore that people are likely to commit crime
through association with others who are already involved in the practice.

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Reference

Akers, R. L., Krohn, M. D., Lanza-Kaduce, L., & Radosevich, M. (1979). Social learning and
deviant behavior: A specific test of a general theory. American Sociological Review,
636-655.