Although, the theory can be traced back to the work of Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L. Akers in 1966, in their literature entitled “A differential association-reinforcement theory of criminal behavior”, which combines the earlier sociology theory of differential association with the developmental physiological theory of reinforcement (Carte, 2010). The theory is one of many that attempt to explain human behaviours in regards to social psychological processes. In comparison to biological and social structural theories, the Social Learning Theory considers human behaviour as a consequence of psychological processes occurring within an individual in concurrence of socialization (Cameron, 2009). From a criminological stance point, the Social Learning Theory is stereotypically applied and comprehended as proclaimed by Ronald L. Akers in 1973. This proposed theory is used in research to explain a vast range of criminal behavior and is central to the idea that “the same learning process in a context of social structure, interaction, and situation produces both conforming and deviant behavior. The conceptualization of the Social Learning Theory encompasses four vital facets, these being differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement and …show more content…
According to Van Cleemput’s (2009) research at least 20% of youths have reported being victims of cyberbullying in the United States. Numerous consequences to this specific manner of bullying have occurred, these commonly including depression, social isolation and self-harming behaviours (Mason, 2008). Furthmore, in a study conducted using juveniles between the ages of ten and twelve, its was witnessed that the victim of cyberbullying uphold social anxiety and report that anxiety is increased when peer to peer assessment is involved. Additionally, younger female victims are recorded to suffer more then males, however, female victims are statistically more likely to seek assistance (Navarro R, 2011). Therefore, these statistics display the large effect cyberbullying is having towards victims, it is therefore imperative that management strategies are enacted to aid in combatting this unique nature of