Imitation
Definition
Modelling one's behaviour on observed actions of others, especially admired or high-status individuals. Akers added imitation to Sutherland's original framework, explaining initial performance of a behaviour before direct reinforcement has occurred.
- Origin
- Added by Ronald Akers
- Base theory
- Sutherland's differential association
- Function
- Explains first-time behaviour before reinforcement
- Related concept
- Differential reinforcement
Common questions
How does imitation fit into social learning theory of crime?+
Akers used imitation to explain why someone tries a behaviour the very first time, before they have any personal experience of reward or punishment from it, filling a gap Sutherland's original theory left unaddressed.
Does imitation alone sustain criminal behaviour over time?+
No. Imitation mainly triggers initial performance; continuation depends on differential reinforcement, meaning whether the behaviour is subsequently rewarded or punished within the person's social groups.
Related terms
- Definitions (Social Learning)
- Attitudes or rationalisations that frame a behaviour as acceptable, justified, or necessary. In Akers's model, a high ratio of favourable-to-unfavourable definitions toward...
- Differential Association
- Sutherland's concept that criminal behaviour results from an excess of associations with pro-criminal definitions over anti-criminal definitions. The learning depends on the...
- Differential Reinforcement
- The balance of rewards and punishments, anticipated or actual, that follow a behaviour. If the expected rewards outweigh expected costs, the behaviour...
- Pro-Criminal Definitions
- Attitudes, values, or verbal rationalisations that make law-breaking seem acceptable or desirable. Examples include neutralisation techniques (denying the victim, appealing to higher...
- Social Learning Theory (Akers)
- The reformulation of differential association in behavioural terms by Ronald Akers and Robert Burgess (1966). It integrates differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement,...