Social Learning Theory is a theory that was formulated by Bandura who emphasized that an individual can acquire new behaviours through imitation, modelling and observation. It is a theory of social behaviour and learning. Burgess and Akers adapted this theory in criminology and according to them individuals develop the motivation to commit felonies that the skills to commit these crimes through the people they associate with. They further believe that people learn these habits by learning and observing from other people in their day-to-day lives. The social learning theory comprises of four crucial elements which are definitions, differential reinforcement, imitations and differential associations.
Imitations refer to the extent to which an individual emulates or imitates the behaviour of another person. These persons whose behaviours are emulated and admired are referred to as role models. In this context therefore, persons who have observed and admired others engaging the violent activities against their partners are quick to adopt such violence on their own partners. This is because they believe is it the way of life and the right thing to do as they have seen others to do.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The second part social element of the theory is definitions. This refers to the values and attitudes persons hold in relation to the decency of the law and the wrongfulness of particular criminal behaviours. These attitudes may fluctuate in salience or strength and they may be considered situationally inoperative. They may be disapproved, approved and can also be deliberated as morally neutral towards particular deviant habits. The attitudinal frameworks are constant with the patriarchal values, customs and norms that are the basis of male-female partner violence that has been emphasised by the male peer support theory.
The third element is differential association and it refers to the influence that the behaviours and definitions of role models have on the conduct on individuals. It is also consistent with the identical influences implied by both male peer support theory and integrational transmission theory. According to the social learning theory when individuals are exposed to behaviours and definitions of their role models, then it has an effect that is powerful on their own definitions and behaviours. The impact varies based on the duration, frequency and intensity of the exposure. When it comes to partner violence, this theory predicts that individuals who are exposed to violence have a high probability of engaging in the conduct themselves as they have seen their role models endorse it.
Finally, differential reinforcement means the net balance of expected rewards and costs that are related with a particular behaviour. This concept is not inconsistent with its argument that is theoretical. In relation to the theory of social learning, actions that are expected to harvest higher balances of rewards than costs are more likely to be entertained and engaged in. Individuals who view partner violence as rewarding and not costly are probably like to engage in it more and more. Rewards include power, domination and control over the other partner. If the costs are likely to be more than the rewards, then persons are not likely to get involved in them. The costs include relationship losses, remorse and guilt, embarrassment, physical injuries and social approbation.
Persons who are aggressive or have witnessed their role models who anticipate a greater balance in the costs are rewards of violence are likely to be aggressive with their own partners. Aker’s theory easily accommodates and integrates important theoretical elements of theories that lead in intimate partner violence. It also focusses on the various limitations related with other theories. However, it has not been tested as one of the explanations of partner violence.
