Bandura's Social Learning Theory Of Criminal Behavior

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There are rules in place that are enforced through social institutions to control behaviour in a particular country or community, known as the law. Acts which intentionally go against the law such as assault, rape, drug possession and theft are all examples of universal crimes that result to punishment, from fines to imprisonment. Criminal behaviour is therefore failure to comply by the law. Psychologist have a particular interest in serious criminal offenders, they believe they have a different personality to ‘normal’ people. Wilks, T. (2013). GCSE Psychology: Criminal behaviour. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dO1ufx4dgU. Last accessed 12th Oct 2015. Psychological approaches are ways in which psychologists’ investigate human behaviour. …show more content…

It looks closely on the effects on the change of behaviour as a result from a stimulus response made by a learner, usually a role model or someone of close significance. This is a form of conditioning and reinforcement. Bandura’s Social learning theory, focuses on the belief that all kinds of behaviour is learned through observation of a role model, depending on the consequences of the role model’s actions then determines whether the behaviour is imitated. Bandura et al (1963) shows children an adult model behaving aggressively towards and inflated bobo doll the adult was either rewarded by sweets or punished by being shouted at. The control group witnessed the model behave aggressively with no consequence, positive or negative. The children were then allowed to play in the room which contained the bobo doll, those who had seen the model punished for their behaviour were less likely to imitate their actions. Research was carried out, showing that the majority of children learn behaviour through observation but only imitate when behaviour is not punished. This study does prove that observing violence brings about imitation and can be applied to real life as it could be the reason why there are age restrictions on violent video games and movies, as it has more effect in young children Griffiths, DR. (2000).Video games: cause for concern. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1036088.stm. Last accessed 13th Oct 2015. However the study is unethical as it does not take the effect on physical and mental changes of participants into

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