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Binge Drinking Among College Students: A Partial Test of Akers’ Social Structure-Social Learning Theory

American Journal of Criminal Justice volume 38, pages 503–519 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The present research continues to test the hypothesis from Akers’ Social Structure-Social Learning Theory (1998) that the effects of structural variables will be mediated by social learning processes. The present research uses Core Alcohol and Drug Survey data from eight diverse college campuses throughout the United States to study binge drinking. This research examines 13 structural features for a full range of college students. The results indicate the social learning variables (rewards, punishments and definitions) mediated most of the structural effects of binge drinking. There were significant interactions, which are not predicted by Akers. The paper discusses the implication of these findings for Akers’ mediation hypothesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA, 31698, USA

    Michael Capece

  2. Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Lonn Lanza-Kaduce

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  1. Michael Capece
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  2. Lonn Lanza-Kaduce
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Correspondence to Michael Capece.

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Capece, M., Lanza-Kaduce, L. Binge Drinking Among College Students: A Partial Test of Akers’ Social Structure-Social Learning Theory. Am J Crim Just 38, 503–519 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-013-9208-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-013-9208-4

Keywords

  • Social structure
  • Social learning theory/binge drinking