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Essay / Analysis of Akers' Social Learning Theory at Risk
However, this theory was not entirely constructed by Akers' mind, as he used various other sources, including the theory of differential associations of Sutherland, to orchestrate certain concepts of his theory. With the combined help of Robert Burgess, the two theorists were able to refigure the theory and retain the ideologies of differential association theory. Akers derived some principles used in behavioral learning theory and added them to his social learning theory. The principle of "differential reinforcement", where the individual's intended actions are acclimated or conformed by chastisements or punishments.