Chapter 10: Social learning theories: peer group influences

Abstract

Chapter 10 presents social learning theories of delinquency and discusses peer group influences on offending. Sutherland’s differential association and Akers’ social learning theories consider the processes through which delinquent behavior is learned in the context of social interaction. These theories argue that delinquent peers provide the primary group context in which delinquent attitudes and behavior are learned and reinforced. This represents the “socialization” perspective on delinquency, which is contrasted in Chapter 10 with the “selection” perspective, which does not view association with delinquent peers as a key cause of delinquency. Chapter 10 considers several questions derived from these competing perspectives: Is delinquency learned from delinquent peers? How does peer group association influence youth? Are there gender differences in peer group influence? Can peer networks explain racial and ethnic differences in juvenile violence? What is the nature of delinquent groups? What role do peers play in drug use? Chapter 10 also considers the influence of street gangs on delinquency and explores group processes within gangs (e.g. levels of cohesion); the cultural contexts and organizational structure of street gangs; and gender, race, and social class differences in gang participation.

Theories

• differential association
• social learning

Key Terms

• co-offending
• social learning
• differential association
• definitions of the law
• operant conditioning
• differential reinforcement
• imitation
• socialization perspective
• selection perspective
• street gang
• selection model
• social facilitation model
• enhancement model
• group processes

Outline

1. Companions in crime: the group character of delinquency
2. Theoretical views of peers and delinquent behavior
   1. Social learning theories
      1. Sutherland’s differential association theory
      2. Akers’ social learning theory
   2. Socialization versus selection
3. Peer group influence
   1. Is delinquency learned from delinquent peers?
   2. How does peer group association influence youth?
      1. Frequency and duration of association
      2. Priority: connecting age and peer group influence
      3. Intensity: the strength of delinquent peer relationships
   3. Are there gender differences in peer group influence?
   4. Can peer networks explain racial and ethnic differences in juvenile violence?
   5. What is the nature of offending groups?
   6. What role do peers play in drug use?
4. Street gangs
   1. Defining gangs
   2. Street gangs, group processes, and delinquency          
      1. Group cohesion
      2. Status threats
      3. Threats of violence
   3. Cultural context and organizational structure
   4. Gender, race, and class differences in gang participation
5. Summary and conclusions