crmj powerpoint

1. Ronald Akers Social Learning
Theory
Theories Of Crime and Deviance
Joe Khalil
11/27/13

2. Ronald Akers
• Born Jan. 7, 1939
• American criminologist known for social
learning theory
• Earned Ph.D. in sociology from the University
of Kentucky
• Then started teaching at Florida in 1980

3. Social Learning Theory
• According to Akers people develop motivation
to commit crime and the skills to commit
crime through the people they associate with.
• Akers theory of social learning states that
people learn deviant behavior by observing
and learning from the social factors in their
day to day lives

4. Work
• Robert Burgess and Ronald Akers collaborated
in 1966 to reformulate Edwin H. Sutherland's
differential association theory of criminal
behavior
• To show that criminal behavior is activated by
discriminative cues Burgess and Akers cut
down Sutherlands nine propositions to seven
propositions.

5. 7 propositions
• 1. Criminal behavior is learned according to the principles of
operant conditioning (Burgess & Akers, 1966)
• 2. Criminal behavior is learned both in nonsocial situations or
social situations (Burgess & Akers, 1966)
• 3. The principle parts of learning occur in groups (Burgess &
Akers, 1966)
• 4. The learning of criminal behavior including specific
techniques and attitudes is a function of the effective and
available reinforcers, and the existing reinforcement
contingencies (techniques of committing crime) (Burgess &
Akers, 1966)

6. 7 propositions Cont.
• 5. Behavior depends on how reinforcers are applied
based on norms (Burgess & Akers, 1966)
• 6. Criminal behavior is a function of norms which are
discriminative for criminal behavior (A person will
become delinquent based on the function of the
norms) (Burgess & Akers, 1966)
• 7. The strength of Criminal behavior depends on the
frequency and probability of its reinforcement
(Burgess & Akers, 1966)

7. Akers and Burgess
• Burgess and Akers developed a theory that can
be applied to many types of criminals and crimes.
• It is best applied to behavior within groups from
which they receive reinforcement, such as gangs,
peer groups, or social groups (Akers, 1973)
• Akers and Burgess agreed that a person will learn
behavior from others and then this behavior is
reinforced
• The level of positive reinforcement will
determine the continuation or discontinuation of
the behavior.

8. Akers Summary
• The probability that persons will engage in
criminal and deviant behavior is increased and
the probability of them conforming to the norm is
decreased when they differentially associate with
others who commit criminal behavior
• Difference Between Sutherland and Akers
• Sutherland believed individuals learn criminal
behavior while in their adolescence from family
members and peers. Akers stated positive
rewards and the avoidance of punishment helps
reinforced aggression

9. Apa Reference
• Social learning theory. (2010, April 27).
Retrieved from
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English
/topics/youthandthelaw/roots/volume5/chapt
er08_social_learning.aspx