Social Learning and Social Structure: A General Theory of Crime and Deviance

by Akers,Ronald

• ISBN13: 9781412809993
• ISBN10: 1412809991
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2009-02-28
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The social learning theory of crime integrates Edwin H.Sutherland’s differential association theory with behaviorallearning theory. It is a widely accepted and appliedapproaches to criminal and deviant behavior. However,it is also widely misinterpreted, misstated, and misapplied.This is the first single volume, in-depth, authoritativediscussion of the background, concepts, development,modifications, and empirical tests of social learningtheory. Akers begins with a personal account of Sutherland’sinvolvement in criminology and the origins of hisinfluential perspective. He then traces the intellectualhistory of Sutherland’s theory as well as social learningtheory, providing a comprehensive explanation of howeach theory approaches illegal behavior. Akers reviewsresearch on various correlates and predictors of crime anddelinquency that may be used as operational measures ofdifferential association, reinforcement, and other sociallearning concepts.Akers proposes a new, integrated theory of sociallearning and social structure that links group differencesin crime to individual conduct. He concludes with acogent discussion of the implications of social learningtheory for criminology and public policy. Now availablein paperback, with a new introduction by the author, thisvolume will be invaluable to professionals and for use incourses in criminology and deviance.

Author Biography

Ronald L. Akers is professor of criminology and sociology in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society, University of Florida. He is the author of Drugs, Alcohol, and Society: Structure, Process, and Policy, Deviant Behavior: A Social Learning Approach, and Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	p. ix
List of Figures	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Introduction	p. xv
Introduction to the Transaction Paperback Edition	p. xxi
A Personal History of the Development of Social Learning Theory	p. 3
Development and Revisions of Differential Association Theory	p. 21
The Social Learning Theory of Criminal and Deviant Behavior	p. 47
Social Learning and Cultural Deviance Theory	p. 90
Research on Social Learning Variables in Crime and Delinquency	p. 107
Social Learning Variables in Delinquency Prediction	p. 127
Adolescent Drug and Drinking Behavior: The Boys Town Study	p. 170
Adolescent Smoking Behavior: The Iowa Study	p. 202
Elderly Drinking Behavior: The Florida Study	p. 234
Rape and Sexual Aggression	p. 254
Other Studies on Social Learning	p. 286
Social Structure and Social Learning in Crime and Deviance	p. 322
Bibliography	p. 373
Index	p. 415
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