Criminal psychology
Learning theories as an explanation of criminality
Operant conditioning
This explains that there are two types of reinforcement - positive and negative, the
consequences of which encourage us to repeat a behaviour.
Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement
Receiving something pleasant for a The avoidance of something unpleasant so
behaviour so we repeat it. we do it again.
It also explains that punishment is a consequence of behaviour which means we are less
likely to repeat the behaviour again.
Positive punishment Negative punishment
Receiving something unpleasant for a Removing something pleasant so we do not
behaviour so we do not do it again repeat the behaviour again.
It also explains that there are two types of positive reinforcers that can be used as a
consequence for behaviour to strengthen behaviour
Primary reinforcer Secondary reinforcer
A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need. A reinforcer of no survival value but we
E.g. food, water have learned to associate it with a primary
reinforcer.
E.g. school grades, tokens
Strengths and weaknesses of operant conditioning
Strengths Weaknesses
It can be used to explain a variety of Not all crimes are committed because of
crimes. receiving reinforcement or punishment.
It ignores other factors like genetics.
It explains that punishment can remove Behaviour can be reproduced in the
undesirable behaviour. absence of reinforcement or punishment.
It has also contributed to development of
behaviour management techniques such as It does not consider an alternative
token economies. motivation for crimes.
, Social learning theory as an explanation of criminality
● It explains that we learn from one another rather than directly from reinforcement
or punishment.
● Albert Bandura explains behaviour as a consequence of observing and modelling
others around us. This is known as observational learning.
● We do not just copy anyone, we’re motivated to copy those whom we share similar
characteristics. This person becomes a role model.
● By observing a model, we learn how new behaviours are performed which is known
as modelling.
The identification and modelling process
Attention
In order to learn something new, you have to pay attention to it.
Retention
You have to remember it
Reproduction
To model new behaviour that you observed you have to be able to reproduce it
Motivation
You are more likely to model behaviour you have observed if you are motivated to do so.
This could be because a model is rewarded so you want to be rewarded too [Vicarious
reinforcement].
Identification
Occurs when you adopt the behaviour, beliefs and values of the role model or group.
Strengths and weaknesses of the social learning theory
Strengths Weaknesses
Lots of evidence to support it. Bandura’s study only investigates the short
Bandura conducted a series of experiments term effects of observational learning as it
that exposed nursery aged children to an is unethical to experiment long term,
aggressive role model. because children would be exposed to
He found that aggression was copied aggressive behaviour.
especially if the child was the same sex as
the model. It cannot be tested in real life situations.
The theory can explain why some people Some criminal behaviour can’t be explained
exposed to criminality become criminals by observational learning.
and others do not. E.g. murder
If they are not motivated they won’t copy it.
Observational learning is one of the main
ways children learn behaviour and can
explain this behaviour in absence of
reinforcement.
Learning theories as an explanation of criminality
Operant conditioning
This explains that there are two types of reinforcement - positive and negative, the
consequences of which encourage us to repeat a behaviour.
Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement
Receiving something pleasant for a The avoidance of something unpleasant so
behaviour so we repeat it. we do it again.
It also explains that punishment is a consequence of behaviour which means we are less
likely to repeat the behaviour again.
Positive punishment Negative punishment
Receiving something unpleasant for a Removing something pleasant so we do not
behaviour so we do not do it again repeat the behaviour again.
It also explains that there are two types of positive reinforcers that can be used as a
consequence for behaviour to strengthen behaviour
Primary reinforcer Secondary reinforcer
A reinforcer that satisfies a biological need. A reinforcer of no survival value but we
E.g. food, water have learned to associate it with a primary
reinforcer.
E.g. school grades, tokens
Strengths and weaknesses of operant conditioning
Strengths Weaknesses
It can be used to explain a variety of Not all crimes are committed because of
crimes. receiving reinforcement or punishment.
It ignores other factors like genetics.
It explains that punishment can remove Behaviour can be reproduced in the
undesirable behaviour. absence of reinforcement or punishment.
It has also contributed to development of
behaviour management techniques such as It does not consider an alternative
token economies. motivation for crimes.
, Social learning theory as an explanation of criminality
● It explains that we learn from one another rather than directly from reinforcement
or punishment.
● Albert Bandura explains behaviour as a consequence of observing and modelling
others around us. This is known as observational learning.
● We do not just copy anyone, we’re motivated to copy those whom we share similar
characteristics. This person becomes a role model.
● By observing a model, we learn how new behaviours are performed which is known
as modelling.
The identification and modelling process
Attention
In order to learn something new, you have to pay attention to it.
Retention
You have to remember it
Reproduction
To model new behaviour that you observed you have to be able to reproduce it
Motivation
You are more likely to model behaviour you have observed if you are motivated to do so.
This could be because a model is rewarded so you want to be rewarded too [Vicarious
reinforcement].
Identification
Occurs when you adopt the behaviour, beliefs and values of the role model or group.
Strengths and weaknesses of the social learning theory
Strengths Weaknesses
Lots of evidence to support it. Bandura’s study only investigates the short
Bandura conducted a series of experiments term effects of observational learning as it
that exposed nursery aged children to an is unethical to experiment long term,
aggressive role model. because children would be exposed to
He found that aggression was copied aggressive behaviour.
especially if the child was the same sex as
the model. It cannot be tested in real life situations.
The theory can explain why some people Some criminal behaviour can’t be explained
exposed to criminality become criminals by observational learning.
and others do not. E.g. murder
If they are not motivated they won’t copy it.
Observational learning is one of the main
ways children learn behaviour and can
explain this behaviour in absence of
reinforcement.
