Social Learning

Theory
A perspective from
criminology

What is it?
The Social Learning Behavior is a theory used
to explain crime that states that a person’s
behavior is affected by the group of people
that surrounds them and their (criminal)
activities.

Crime applications
People tend to take part in criminal activity if
they are surrounded by others who commit
crimes, as it is based in observational learning.
This process occurs through specific behavior’s
reinforcement from their role model, which is a
person they admire and identify with.

Stages? Types of reactions

The stages of the theory are: attention, retention, reproduction
and motivation.
If the person receives a positive reinforcement after the crime, it
will probably be repeated.
On the other hand, even if it receives a negative reinforcement, it
will also be repeated to sustain what they have obtained.
The vicarious reinforcement might be the way to prevent this
crimes, if they observe the rewards and punishments from
certain behaviors, such as stealing.

Sources
Lee, David. “Social Learning Theory of Criminality.” Online Learning
College, 20 June 2022, online-learning-college.com/knowledge-
hub/gcses/gcse-psychology-help/social-learning-theory-of-
criminality/.
Pamhinton | A2 Psychology Blog,
pamhinton.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/2-3-social-learning-theory-
as-an-explanation-of-crime.pdf. Accessed 14 Dec. 2023.
Dual Diploma, criminology, 3.02