Operant learning theory

Question 1

What is the basic idea of this theory?

Answer 1

B.F. Skinner says that if a particular behaviour results in a reward

Question 2

What is Behaviourism?

Answer 2

The cause of someone’s behaviour lies in the reinforcementsand punishment that shape it
focus on behaviour-shaping has led to operant learning

Question 3

What is the Differential reinforcement theory?

Answer 3

Criminal behaviourism learned through the reinforcement of particular behaviours
if crime has more rewarding consequences than punishing ones for an individual, they will be more likely to engage in criminal behaviour

Question 4

What are the strengths of this theory?

Answer 4

skinner’s studies of learning in animals show that they learn from experience through reinforcement so some human learning is also of this kind, can be applied to offending as crime leads to more rewarding than punishing outcomes for an individual they will be more likely to offend

Question 5

What are the limitations of this theory?

Answer 5

based on animals studies so is not adequate model of how humans learn criminal behaviour, ignores internal mental processes such as thinking as it explains criminal behaviour solely in terms of external rewards and punishments