Asked by peyton phillips on Sep 27, 2024

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Which of the following statements is an accurate criticism of Burgess-Akers's social learning theory?

A) It fails to explain why a person fails to continue to commit deviant acts.
B) It cannot explain why a person initially commits a deviant act.
C) It explains only why a person initially commits a deviant rather than a conforming act.
D) It fails to explain why a person continues to commit deviant acts.

Burgess-Akers's Social Learning Theory

A perspective that emphasizes the role of socialization in learning deviant and criminal behavior through the observation of others.

Deviant Acts

Behaviors that violate societal norms or expectations, ranging from minor breaches of etiquette to serious criminal activities.

  • Achieve an understanding of the range of theories explaining the factors behind and persistence of deviance and crime.
  • Understand the critiques and limitations of major theories of deviance.
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WK
William Kenney3 days ago
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
Burgess-Akers's social learning theory focuses on how individuals learn to engage in behavior through the influence of their social environment, including the reinforcement of behavior and the observation of others. However, it has been criticized for not adequately explaining why an individual might decide to commit a deviant act in the first place, as it primarily focuses on the process of learning behavior rather than the initial motivation.