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Insight about Social Learning Theory
Insight about Social Learning Theory
Insight about Social Learning Theory
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The Social Learning Theory states that people learn from people around them, so if Ronnie is hanging out with drug dealers, and people who steal, he is going to learn the social behaviors involving committing crimes without any empathy for his victims. He was not alone when he decided to break into the elderly couple’s home and kidnap Joseph and Martha, so in this case, he was influenced by his peers, as well as his individual traits such as anger, and irritability to commit such a crime. Along with the Social Learning theory, the control theory could be applied to Ronnie’s specific case as well. With Ronnie growing up the way he did, he did not view his life as having something to lose, or any stake in conformity. Control theory also discusses the juvenile’s capability to have self-restraint, which Ronnie displayed none since he was quick to commit crimes if he felt like it was needed.
Sutherland Differential Association Theory says, “people learn how to behave by modeling themselves after others whom they have the opportunity to observe” (Tittle, Burke, and Jackson, 1986). Ronald L. Akers and Robert L Burgess Differential Reinforcement Theory, drawn from Sutherland’s theory, proclaims primary learning takes place through operant conditioning. “Criminal behavior is learned according to the principles of operant conditioning” (Burgess, Akers 1966:137). Operant behaviors can involve conditioning, shaping, stimulus control and extinction (Burgess, Akers 1966:133-134). Sutherland, Akers and Burgess theories give a correlating perspective into the Lionel Tate Case.
Reinforcement refers to the process by which individuals are rewarded or punished for their behavior. In the context of sexually motivated crimes, reinforcement could occur through positive feedback from peers or through a lack of consequences for violent behavior. For example, an individual who engages in sexual violence may receive positive feedback from influential people in their lives who view this behavior as acceptable, or they simply may not be faced with any consequences for their actions. The social learning theory provides a useful framework for understanding sexually motivated crimes because it
Richard Ramirez is without a doubt an individual who plays a role in the social learning theory. Although Ramirez acted alone in his crimes, there is no denying that his cousin’s wisdom and experience was a part of his mental processing. Miguel Ramirez, social learning, and Richard Ramirez are a trio that was inevitable and unavoidable. Richard Ramirez was born in El Paso, Texas on February 29, 1960. He was the youngest of seven children born to Mercedes and Julian Ramirez.
This theory asserts that all behavior is learned in much the same way and that crime is also learned. It lays emphasis on the role of communication and socialization in the acquisition of learned patterns of criminal behavior and the values supporting that behavior. This was seen in the movie when Jess a novice was taught how to commit a crime and get away with it with the aid of some criminal peers in the social setting. She became an expert and master of the trade after learning the tricks of the
Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.
This process has nine components (Cullen, 2014). The first is criminal behavior is learned not inherited. Second, the Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication. Third, the principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups. Fourth, When criminal behavior is learned, the learning includes (a) techniques of committing the crime, which is sometimes very complicated, sometimes simple; (b) the specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes.
The Maidu are a tribelet of the Mechoopda, that are indigenous to the Northern California central valley region. Prior to 1848 and the colonization of miners and rancherias, the Maidu roamed the lands south of what is now known as Chico. They lived, hunted, and gathered within a 6 to 12 mile radius, of what was later known as Chico Rancheria (see map). Possibly 260,000 aboriginals lived on the land. Bean reports that the aboriginal population of California was six times the national average.
When looking at both these theories a certain similarity sticks out. Both the labeling theory and the social learning theory strive to give information on why deviant acts are committed by certain juveniles. They both also explain what the causes are of people and juveniles being labeled as criminals and how this can cause them to perform the same deviant acts. In conclusion, both the labeling theory along with the social learning theory can be used to provide an explanation for not only juveniles but all deviant behavior done by a person or
Akers (1998): The probability that persons will engage in criminal and deviant behaviour is increased and the probability of their conforming to the norm is decreased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior and espouse definitions favorable to it, are relatively more exposed in-person or symbolically to salient criminal/deviant models, define it as desirable or justified in a situation discriminative for the behavior, and have received in the past and anticipate in the current or future situation relatively greater reward than punishment for the behavior Differential Association Theory is understood by recognizing that behavior can be learned directly, and also indirectly through observation and experience. Individuals will be exposed in their lifetimes to an array of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, which, to a child, must be learned. Varying cultures will have different social norms first, based on their family’s beliefs, actions, and prejudices. Secondly outside factors will establish their own norms by interactions with that of friends, teachers, and acquaintances.
For example those who follow the code of the street, that may mean beating someone up to make themselves feel more powerful, but they had to learn that from somewhere as they can not only learn things from their direct experiences but there is also a high chance that they have seen exposed to others that do the same exact thing. Differential association theory which is a strain of social learning theory, explains that criminal behaviour, and the specific techniques that one needs to know to commit crime are learned. This relates to the code of the street because those who abide by it are not only taught the violent or criminal behaviour but are also taught the motivating factors that back up the behaviour. All the residents that follow the street code do because that is what is they are surrounded with and according to the social learning theory, which is explains that crime is learned, they watch how others deal with things and use that as a model. It is a cognitive process in which one’s attitude and their surroundings merge in an ongoing conditioning theory.
’s likelihood for association with delinquent peers is increased due to the neighborhood they live in. Poverty-stricken neighborhoods tend to have higher rates of crime, such as vandalism, as well as a higher gang presence (Fite, Preddy and Vitulano 748). The delinquent children that live in these neighborhoods tend to ride school buses together. This continued association only further serves to develop the child’s beliefs that delinquent acts can be justified (Agnew and Brezina 205, 225). This concept of “best friend delinquency” further serves to prove the social learning theory as well as the association
One of the most analyzed theories in criminology today is the social learning theory. The social learning theory derives from the differential association theory by Dr. Edward Sutherland. The social learning theory of criminology says that individuals learn from the community around them. This happens in two ways by differential association and differential reinforcement. Differential association is the theory that individuals learn values and behaviors related with crime.
The education includes how to commit crimes and all the rationalizations for doing so. Criminal behaviors are reinforced by hearing them referred to in positive terms. Respect for social norms such as following the law is held in contempt by the group. Two of the nine propositions that Sutherland came up with to explain the Differential Association theory was that criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons in a process of communication and the principal part of the learning of criminal behavior occurs within intimate personal groups. These propositions are established in the movie Blow as follows.
During my group, I worked as a model of being polite, how to build relationship with others, how to respect others and so on. On one hand, I reinforced group members’ appropriate behaviors by using a scaling table to note their good performance and awarding group members who perform best, that is, group members who got the highest score in each session. On the other hand, I sat norms as well as punishment with group members at the beginning of the group and used punishment to avoid inappropriate and unexpected behaviors. Since most of group members aged 8 to 13, they were easily to break promises. Therefore, punishment was essential for regulating their behaviors and reminding them of their commitment, while positive reinforcement was also significant to raise their awareness of behaviors and facilitating proper behaviors.
