01:920:222 Chapter Notes - Chapter Akers: Differential Association, Social Learning Theory
20 Apr 2019
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A social learning theory of crime -- akers. Akers" slt is an extension of sutherland"s differential association theory. Agrees with sutherland that people learn crime through exposure. Gives a more in depth description of this than sutherland does. Akers also argues that crime can be learned through imitation and differential reinforcement. So akers" theory is broader than sutherland"s. Social learning theory is not competitive with differential association theory. Social learning theory also explains criminal and delinquent behavior in detail. Social learning theory offers an explanation of crime and deviance which embraces variables that operate both to motivate and control criminal behavior; both to promote and undermine conformity. Differential association refers to the process of being exposed to normative definition that are favorable or unfavorable to illegal or law abiding behavior. Definitions are a person"s own attitude towards given behavior. In social learning theory, the definitions can be general and specific.
