Specifically, social learning theory states that learning can take place through responses, either social or nonsocial, to an individual’s behavior. Specifically, Akers believes that definitions favorable to crime are learned through a process of differential reinforcement, where criminal behavior is more likely to occur if the person believes it will be rewarded and not punished. According to social learning theory, crime is: (1) Learned according to the principles of operant conditioning; (2) Learned in nonsocial situations and through social interaction where situations and behaviors are reinforced or discriminative for criminal behavior. In addition, (3) Learning occurs in groups which comprise the individuals major source of reinforcement; (4) Learning is a function of effective and available reinforces and existing reinforcement contingencies; and (5) Strength is a direct function of the amount, frequency, and probability of its reinforcement (Akers 1973;
Specifically, social learning theory states that learning can take place through responses, either social or nonsocial, to an individual’s behavior. Specifically, Akers believes that definitions favorable to crime are learned through a process of differential reinforcement, where criminal behavior is more likely to occur if the person believes it will be rewarded and not punished. According to social learning theory, crime is: (1) Learned according to the principles of operant conditioning; (2) Learned in nonsocial situations and through social interaction where situations and behaviors are reinforced or discriminative for criminal behavior. In addition, (3) Learning occurs in groups which comprise the individuals major source of reinforcement; (4) Learning is a function of effective and available reinforces and existing reinforcement contingencies; and (5) Strength is a direct function of the amount, frequency, and probability of its reinforcement (Akers 1973;