ABSTRACT
This chapter advocates several positions relevant to micro-macro transitions in the development of social learning theory. It specifies micro-macro links for social learning theory, addresses some misconceptions about "individual level" versus "macrolevel" explanations. A criminological theory that successfully addresses micromacro transitions is to be preferred over theories that can be defended at only one level, or where the research at "micro" or "meso" levels is dismissed as irrelevant to the merits of a theory. The chapter presents additional steps in direction by addressing the implications of micro characteristics of the theory for macro-level conceptions of the role of structure and culture in the generation of crime. It also addresses several issues that have impeded the development and application of social learning theory on a macro level. Social learning theory has fared the best and strain theory has fared the worst in research using self-report survey data.
