Akers Social Learning Theory

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Table of Contents

Summary
Differential association
Imitation
Definitions
Differential Reinforcement
References

Summary

Akers social learning theory posits that individuals develop the urge to engage in criminal activities and the techniques to execute these acts through interacting with peers or within their social circle. According to Nodeland and Morris (2018), people master new deportments, attributes and aspirations through direct encounters as well as monitoring other individuals behavior through negative or positive impulses. Some of the concepts in this postulation include differential association, imitation, definition, and differential reinforcement.

Differential association

The differential association consists of two major dimensions: identification or affiliation with distant reference groupings and behavioral interactions. The latter elucidates deviance as an action triggered by the direct interaction or association with individuals participating in specific deportments. Within these social contexts, people become exposed to different definitions of unacceptable and appropriate behaviors and the pertinent models that reinforce non-criminal and offensive conduct. The nature, frequency, length, and timing of contact represent the crucial behavioral determinants.

Imitation

This conceptualization is based on the belief that people participate in a specific behavior after witnessing its execution by other individuals. The discerned behavioral impact observed deportments, and features of the model ascertain the extent to which particular conducts are mimicked. Nodeland and Morris (2018) further argue that witnessing other peoples activities, especially those close to us, can influence our involvement in both adhering and non-conforming deportments. Imitation also accounts for the performance and acquisition of novel conduct compared to the already established behavioral patterns termination or sustenance.

Definitions

The definition refers to an individuals exclusive perspectives and values regarding acceptable and undesirable behavior. Nodeland and Morris (2018) identify the above conceptualization as the rationalizations, orientations, situation-related elucidations, and other moral and evaluative viewpoints that delineate the commission of an act as either wrong or right, bad or good, unjustified or justified. These values and attitudes are usually learned and fortified through the differential association mechanism. Aker links ones morality and views on the impact triggered by specific and general definitions.

Differential Reinforcement

This concept is based on the assumption that an acts perceived consequences ascertain the action to be executed by a person. Value, belief, and attitude reinforcement occur through imitation and differential association (Nodeland & Morris, 2018). Positive augmentation to criminal deportment occurs when ones act is rewarded with positive outcomes and behavioral responses. On the other hand, negative reinforcement entails eradicating negative reactions or impacts to increase the probability of engaging in certain activities. The likelihood, frequency, and degree of occurrence are linked directly to the extent of differential reinforcement.

References

Bystrova, E. G., & Petter, G. (2015). Social conflict theory and white-collar criminals: Why does the ruling class punish their own? Pakistan Journal of Criminology, 7(1):1-15. Web.

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Akers Social Learning Theory

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