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Reflection paper about social learning theory
Reflection paper about social learning theory
Reflection paper about social learning theory
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Modelling theory also called the social learning theory can be defined as “behaviour which is learned in much the same way and such learning includes the acquisition of norms, values, and patterns of behaviour conceive to crime,
Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated (from friends, education, family, etc.),
Theories are used every day to try and explain how something works or even why it works that way. In criminology, theories are constantly being created and used to help explain many things such as why crime occurs. Social structural theories specifically are used to explain how the organization of society affects why people commit crime and social process theories focus on the social relationships and interactions of people and how that leads to committing crime or not. One sub theory of social structural theory is the general strain theory created by criminologist Robert Agnew which explains that there are multiple sources of strain, such as the loss of loved on, that can lead to crime. A sub theory for social process theory is the social learning theory, created by Ronald Akers, that focuses on punishment and reinforcement and how that leads to criminal behavior.
This theory is broken down into the learning theory and the social control theory. The learning theory holds the assumption that delinquents commit crime because they learn from others around them. They find ways to defend themselves because of the acts of others (p. 125). The social
Kempf-Leonard, K., & Morris, N. A. (2012, July 24). Social Control Theory. Retrieved March 21, 2018, from Oxford Bibliographies: http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0091.xml Siegel, L. J. (2011). Criminology: The Core.
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.
Social learning theorists believe that, “crime is a product of learning the norms, values, and behaviors associated with criminal activity” (Siegel, 236). In other words, crime is something we learn through various elements of society. For instance, if you go and hang out with a new group of friends at school and they go home, smoke marijuana, feels it’s cool behavior, then you could learn that smoking marijuana is okay since your ‘cool’ friends do it. In social learning theories, there are 3 specific forms; differential association theory, differential reinforcement theory and neutralization theory, which I will discuss more in depth. Differential association theory was developed by Edwin H. Sutherland, which contains several principles.
The social learning theory in criminology says that people learn from their environment around them and it makes an impact on them, influences them to choose the life of crime and violence. People are more likely to commit crimes when they associate themselves around those types of individuals that believe that criminal activity is a somewhat normal way of living. These individuals show them that there will be a favorable benefit to the crime when in fact there aren’t any positive benefits at all. “Although social learning theorists agree that mental or physical traits may dispose a person towards violence, they believe a person’s violent tendencies are activated by factors in the environment.” (Siegel, 2015)
Labelling perspectives employ a social constructionist view on crime. The premise of crime and criminal behaviour is shaped by the interactions and labels formed by members of the criminal justice system. Labels cause individuals to personify one another, formulating a stigma against each other. Those who are identified as criminal and/or deviant by the criminal justice system and society, are the individuals who are most affected by the process of stigmatisation. A moral panic is referred to the growing fear of a threat to societal norms and values.
The theory states that when a community has high presence of informal social control the people are more likely to stand up to criminal activities. Furthermore,
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.
It can be better explained by having a close look at individual criminals and their environment, culture, economic background or their social culture (Croall, 6). Additionally, crime is also related to the effects of rapid social and economic change (Durkheim qtd. in Croall). Due to the reason that individual decisions are made in a social context, crime becomes an issue due to the social, economic and cultural reasons rather than being just an individual choice or inheritance from parents. It is often suggested by some people that it is the individual offenders who commit crime based on their personal decision.
The Social Learning Theory (SLT) maintains that children develop patterns of violent or delinquent behavior through imitation. For instance, if a child is being beaten at home, then the child will revert to doing so to other children at school. The Social Control Theory (SCT) says that individuals have a natural tendency towards crime and violence
Criminal activities are primarily based on the individual action. However, external factors may contribute to the individual tendency for criminal behavior as suggested by the sociological school of criminology. Anomie and social disorganization are two theories correlate with the sociological thought. Amonie theory suggests that there is a breakdown in social norms or lack of equality between an individual or group. This gap of norms or structures led individual to continuously altering to conditions of life causing “dissatisfaction, frustration, conflict, and ultimately criminal behavior (Bayens, pg. 69)”.
