Exam 7: Social Learning Theory

Sarah stole nail polish and lipstick from Wal-Mart. Even though she generally thinks stealing is wrong, she justified her act by stating that the store has a lot of money and will not even miss such small items. According to Sykes and Matza, she has justified her delinquent act with a:

Experience teaches Jill that she will most likely get away with cheating on exams in large classes. In this example, class size functions as a _______ for Jill.

Drawing on Agnew and Brezina's discussion of beliefs favorable to delinquency, which of the following is TRUE?

According to social learning theory, we tend to _______ behaviors that are reinforced and _____ those that are punished.

Briefly describe the current research on the reinforcement and punishment of delinquency that is discussed in the textbook. Be sure to mention important experimental studies, surveys, and field studies that are discussed. Overall, what do these studies suggest about reinforcements and punishments?

Holding a neutral attitude toward a delinquent act:

Apply the factors of frequency, amount, and relative probability of reinforcement to explain an adolescent's likelihood to engage in illegal drug use.

Billy tells his friends that he is sick and tired of the way that their teacher treats him. His friends dare him to get even with the teacher. They taunt and tease Billy until he puts glue in the teacher's cup. According to social learning theory, Billy is ____________ when his friends stop teasing him.

Social learning theory recognizes that individuals may engage in self-reinforcement and punishment. Briefly describe self-reinforcement and punishment and provide an example of each.

Identify three of Sykes and Matza's justifications/excuses for engaging in delinquency and, for each, illustrate how it could be used to justify acts of vandalism.

Kevin is 17 years old and occasionally drinks beer. Kevin does not consider his action delinquent and believes that drinking is a typical behavior for someone his age. According to Agnew and Brezina, this is an example of:

After Sandy returns home past her curfew, her parents decide that she cannot go with her friends to a party next Friday. This is an example of:

Describe the three major types of beliefs conducive to delinquency. Give an example for each type.

Agnew and Brezina point out that some criminologists have argued that young people can "get hooked" on crime and delinquency. What may be a reason why young people become "hooked" on crime?

Tiffany's day-care provider yells at her for taking a toy away from another child. Tiffany has just been _____________ for her behavior.

According to social learning theory, whether we engage in delinquency is largely a function of:

According to social learning theory, juveniles are most likely to imitate the behavior of a model that:

Drawing on social learning theory, provide examples of negative and positive reinforcements, as well as negative and positive punishments, that parents and teachers use to discourage delinquency.

Explain what is meant by the term "differential reinforcement."