Social Process Theory Of Crime Analysis

The social process theory of crime is an essential tool for criminologists and other justice related professionals. The social process theory contains three other sub theories, social learning, social reaction, and social control. The social process theory and sub theories interpret criminal behavior as a purpose of people’s interactions with establishments, organizations, and processes within the society (Siegel, 222). Domestic violence in this sense will focus around the social control sub theory, but any of the sub theories within the social process theory could apply. To use the social leaning theory a criminologist or specialist in the field must take account of the felon’s relationships and environment (Siegel, 228). This being because

The abusing spouse or parent is looking for confirmation their authority over the other. They have the mindset of an alpha male and need to display their dominance. Social learning and social control can both be used to evaluate domestic violence. Especially when child abuse comes into play. The abused child can grow up learning those traits from observing the dominant parent. Meaning the child could grow up to be the abusive spouse or parent as well. The biggest concern for criminologists who analyze domestic violence within the social process theory is deciding which comes first. Much like the chicken and the egg scenario, the mystery is figuring out if social control or social learning came

It was stated before that control is a learned trait, so throughout the individual’s life the possession of control could have been heavily influenced. The abuser could have at one time been the abused, so the idea of controlling someone else could comfort them. Hurting someone else whether it be physical or emotional could be a healing mechanism for the abused victim. By watching either a parent get abused or remembering when they were abused is learning one of two things. It is either teaching them what not to do, or is showing them what they could potentially get away with. A specialist can observe the people and apply the social learning theory based on the past situations and previous abusive encounters. Criminologists and other specialists can use the social control theory when identifying the causes of domestic violence. Taking into account some aspects of social reaction and learning, the can then use the social control theory as an entirety. When the criminologists can identify the self-image of the criminal, they can begin to analyze the depth of the crime and how to help prevent it for the future. If the offender has low self-esteem and low levels of control and order it is easier for criminologists to identify that the problem lies within the cognitive spectrum of the individual’s