Putting behavior in context: A test of the social structure-social learning mode

Criminological theory and research have traditionally focused on either structural or individual explanations of crime. Recently, contextual analysis, studies that attempt to explore the impact of structure on the individual, has become popular. One recent theoretical attempt to specify the relationship between structure and individual is the social structure-social learning (SSSL) model. This model suggests that while characteristics of the social structure in which one lives influence individual behavior, they do so indirectly by influencing the four social learning processes: differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement and imitation.;Using this model as a guide, this dissertation adds to the growing body of contextual analysis research by 1) offering the first full test of the SSSL model, 2) discussing the links among structural theories, socio-demographic correlates of crime and delinquency and social learning theory, 3) overcoming one limitation of prior contextual analyses by constructing a multilevel data source to test the SSSL model and 4) using update multilevel modeling techniques to test the model.;The SSSL model was tested using data gathered from the U.S. census as well as an individual self-report survey designed to test social learning theory. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the predictive power of social learning theory, structural variables and finally the SSSL model on various forms of substance use. The results support the SSSL mediation hypothesis. Most of the impact of the structural variables on substance use was mediated by social learning variables. In addition, the social learning variables were found to interact with context. Specifically, the differential association, definitions favorable and differential reinforcement variables were stronger predictors of drug use in some social contexts than others. This finding suggests that context may moderate the social learning processes. The original SSSL model is modified to take into account these moderation and mediation effects.