Section 1: Behavior & Behavior Change

IV. Antecedents, Behaviors, & Consequences

What is Social Learning?

Behaviors are learned only if and when they are rewarded. People experiment with drugs, for example, to see how it makes them feel, and if they like feeling "high," they continue to use. Social learning assists in explaining how offenders acquire behavior, as well as how to change behavior. Under the social learning model, changing behavior is possible if the new behavior is positive and burnishes the offender with satisfaction.

One explanation about behavior is that there are three main components:

  • Antecedents,
  • Behaviors,
  • and Consequences.
These three pieces known as the "ABC's of Social Learning" are the significant components of an individual's behavior.