Deck 7: Social Learning Theory

Question 1

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

A) the goals we pursue
B) the people with whom we associate or to whom we are exposed
C) the personality traits we possess
D) our level of stress

Answer 1

B

Question 2

If we wanted to test social learning theory, the best question to ask would be:

A) How much time do you spend on your homework?
B) How much stress are you under?
C) How would your friends react if you committed a delinquent act?
D) How satisfied or happy are you?

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The term "differential reinforcement" refers to the:

A) different sources of reinforcement (e.g., family, friends)
B) different types of reinforcement (e.g., money, social approval)
C) fact that different behaviors have different probabilities of being reinforced
D) fact that some reinforcers, like money, are more powerful than other reinforcers

Answer 3

C

Question 4

TJ sneaks into a movie theater with friends. After the movie, he and his friends laugh and congratulate each other on their success in seeing a new movie without having to pay. According to social learning theory, TJ's behavior has been:

A) negatively punished
B) negatively reinforced
C) positively punished
D) positively reinforced

Question 5

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:

A) negative punishment
B) negative reinforcement
C) positive punishment
D) positive reinforcement

Question 6

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.

A) negatively punished
B) negatively reinforced
C) positively punished
D) positively reinforced

Question 7

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

A) negatively punished
B) negatively reinforced
C) positively punished
D) positively reinforced

Question 8

Agnew and Brezina state in their discussion on social learning theory that the major sources of reinforcements and punishments for juveniles are:

A) teachers
B) family members and friends
C) TV and music
D) neighborhood residents and religious leaders

Question 9

Behaviors that are reinforced on a(n) __________ schedule are more difficult to eliminate than those reinforced on a(n) _________ schedule.

A) discriminative; conventional
B) conventional; discriminative
C) continuous; intermittent
D) intermittent; continuous
E) differential; discriminative

Question 10

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.

A) discriminative stimulus
B) negative reinforcer
C) positive reinforcer
D) negative punisher

Question 11

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

A) Delinquents generally approve of acts like burglary and robbery.
B) Delinquents generally disapprove of all types of delinquency.
C) Delinquents often justify or excuse serious acts of delinquency.
D) none of the above

Question 12

Holding a neutral attitude toward a delinquent act:

A) increases the likelihood of delinquency
B) decreases the likelihood of delinquency
C) has no effect on the likelihood of delinquency
D) is rare because juveniles learn either positive or negative attitudes toward delinquency

Question 13

Agnew and Brezina identify ___________ as a general value(s) that is (are) conducive to delinquency.

A) desire for quick and easy success
B) disdain for hard work
C) wanting excitement
D) trying to be "macho"
E) all of the above

Question 14

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:

A) denial of responsibility
B) denial of victim
C) denial of injury
D) appeal to higher loyalties
E) condemnation of the condemners

Question 15

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

A) they like
B) they see receives reinforcement for the behavior
C) gives off signs of pleasure
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 16

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

A) avoid; repeat
B) repeat; ignore
C) repeat; avoid
D) ignore; repeat

Question 17

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:

A) general approval of minor delinquency
B) conditional approval of minor delinquency
C) condemnation of condemners
D) appeal to higher loyalty

Question 18

Intrinsic reinforcers that are not derived from others are sometimes referred to as:

A) social reinforcers
B) social punishment
C) nonsocial reinforcers
D) nonsocial punishment

Question 19

Which statement is TRUE regarding intermittent schedules of reinforcement?

A) Intermittent schedules require every delinquent act committed to be reinforced.
B) Intermittent schedules are usually sufficient to maintain a behavior.
C) Behaviors that are reinforced on an intermittent schedule are easier to eliminate than those reinforced on a continuous schedule.
D) none of the above

Question 20

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?

A) Some adolescents may find delinquency to be a significant source of stimulation.
B) Some young people may get hooked on the emotional rewards of crime.
C) Delinquent behavior may activate a dopamine-dependent reward process in the brain.
D) all of the above

Question 21

How would social learning theory explain the fact that some students are more likely to engage in illicit drug use than others?

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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.

Question 25

Drawing on social learning theory, provide examples of negative and positive reinforcements, as well as negative and positive punishments, that are used by parents or peers and that encourage delinquency.

Question 26

Describe an intermittent schedule of reinforcement. Why is it difficult to eliminate behaviors maintained on an intermittent schedule?

Question 27

Explain how parents can most effectively use reinforcement to reduce the likelihood that their children will engage in delinquency.

Question 28

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

Question 29

In today's society there are varieties of role models for youths, including celebrities, athletes, parents, teachers, and peers. Which of these do you think has the greatest effect on adolescent beliefs? Do you think celebrities and athletes who engage in alcohol and/or illegal drug and steroid use influence beliefs conducive to these behaviors?

Question 30

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.

Question 31

At a party one evening, Cathy observes her friends smoking marijuana. Describe the conditions under which she is most likely to imitate their behavior.

Question 32

Provide an example of how parents and/or teachers can inadvertently model behaviors of which they directly disapprove.

Question 33

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.

Question 34

According to social learning theory, some individuals are more likely to be reinforced for delinquency than others. Sometimes this reinforcement is deliberate. At other times, the reinforcement for delinquency is less deliberate. Provide ONE example of deliberate reinforcement and ONE example of nondeliberate reinforcement.

Question 35

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?

Question 36

Some juveniles hold certain general values that are conducive to delinquency. These values do not explicitly approve of or justify delinquency, but they make delinquency appear as a more attractive alternative than might otherwise be the case. Theorists have listed three general sets of values in this area. What are these sets of values, and how may they contribute to delinquency?

Question 37

Some individuals are less likely to be reinforced for conventional behavior, and in some cases, conventional behaviors may even be punished. Briefly describe how this may contribute to delinquency. Provide an example of when a conventional behavior is not reinforced and when a conventional behavior is punished.

Question 38

What is the "intergenerational transmission of violence"? Should this be a concern to society? Why or why not?

Question 39

Explain intimate partner violence (IPV) using the primary mechanisms of social learning theory.