Social Learning Theory and the Explanation of Crime

Social learning theory has been called the dominant theory of crime and delinquency in the United States, yet it is often misrepresented. This latest volume in the distinguished Advances in Criminological Theory series explores the impact of this theory. Some equate it with differential association theory. Others depict it as little more than a micro-level appendage to cultural deviance theories. There have been earlier attempts to clarify the theory's unique features in comparison to other theories, and others have applied it to broader issues. These efforts are extended in this volume, which focuses on developing, applying, and testing the theory on a variety of criminal and delinquent behavior. It applies the theory to treatment and prevention, moving social learning into a global context for the twenty-first century. This comprehensive volume includes the latest work, tests, and theoretical advances in social learning theory and will be particularly helpful to criminologists, sociologists, and psychologists. It may also be of interest to those concerned with current issues relating to delinquency, drug use/abuse, and drinking/alcohol abuse.

Ronald L. Akers, Gary F. Jensen

Editors' Introduction, 1. "Taking Social Learning Global": Micro-Macro Transitions in Criminological Theory, 2. Substance Use by Korean Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Test of Social Learning, Social Bonding, and Self-Control Theories, 3. Explaining Delinquency in Taiwan: A Test of Social Learning Theory, 4. "Who's It Gonna Be-You or Me?" The Potential of Social Learning for Integrated Homicide-Suicide Theory, 5. Social Learning Theory and Courtship Violence: An Empirical Test, 6. Delinquency and Depression: A Gendered Role- Taking and Social Learning Perspective, 7. Gender Variation in Delinquency: Self-Images, Beliefs, and Peers as Mediating Mechanisms, 8. Social Structure-Social Learning (SSSL) and Binge Drinking: A Specific Test of an Integrated General Theory, 9. Occupational Structure, Social Learning, and Adolescent Violence, 10. Confessions of a Dying Thief: A Tutorial on Differential Association, 11. Exploring the Relationship between Social and Non-Social Reinforcement in the Context of Social Learning Theory, 12. Theory-Mapping in Social Research: An Application to Social Learning Theory, 13. Development of Antisocial Behavior and Crime across the Life-Span from a Social Interactional Perspective: The Coercion Model, 14. What Correctional Treatment Can Tell Us about Criminological Theory: Implications for Social Learning Theory, Contributors, Subject Index, Name Index