Criminal Behavior: Social Learning And Rational Choice Theory

According to Hess, Orthmann, and Wright, there are many theories that causes criminal behavior. Criminal behavior refers to the misconduct of an offender that leads to the commission of an unlawful act (Legal, I. U.). It is said that one’s environment can be influential to those whose commit crimes. The purpose of this essay is to discusses two of the most major theories of criminology: social learning and rational choice theory. I will then analyze each of these theories and their assumptions when it comes to the reasoning of criminal behavior.

It is said that social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura (1977), is perhaps the most influential theory of learning and development. This theory argued that criminal behavior is learned meaning, it is learned from others through social interaction, known as observational learning. Juveniles today feed off what they see; for instance, they see someone break into a house, of course, they are going to attempt to do the same thing. Some juveniles do this because

they may want to fit in, impress their peers or belong to a particular group. Thus, they view crime as something that is justifiable.
Some view crime as something that is desirable or justifiable depending on the situation at hand. One’s behavior and attitude develop in response to the reinforcement and acceptance from others around them. Social learning theory is considered to be the most dominant theory in crime today. Data shows that people who associates with a group pf people are more than likely to engage in crime.
Labeling theory explains how individuals’ identities are influenced by the way society or authority categorize them as criminals and have no choice but to confirm the role they have been given” (Tibbetts, 2012, p.173).

People focuses more on the label they are given instead of how one may truly be in the inside; which eventually lead to them to increasing the seriousness of illegal activity and committing criminal behavior. The label one is given will eventually become parts of their self-concept. Once labeled, individuals may have trouble with securing employment which will of course increase their level of strain and result into committing criminal behavior; because, without a stable jib or any form of income they result to what they know best and that is getting it by any mean regardless the possible outcome. Although labeling increases crime it is said that it also can reduce crime when it causes the offender to feel guilty for what they have

done.
Example for instance, I have an eight-year-old cousin, we are going to call him Lukas; his mother and grandmother told him that he has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and told him that he is slow and is going to grow up to be just like his father. With them constantly telling him that, he thinks it is fine for him to go to school, not do his work and continuously get in trouble. He also is an example of the social learning theory. Lukas has an uncle who is sixteen years old and hang in the streets and he sometimes go with his uncle whenever he goes out. Lukas’s uncle is a part of a gang and do other things. Lukas at the age of eight, think it is okay for him to tell his teachers that he is in a gang, he always trying to fight, disrespects his teachers and more. Of course, he thinks it is fine because his mother labeled him and he imitate things that he seen his uncle do.
Both theories help explain the factors they may have as an effect on people. They also provide insight as to why people are labeled as criminals. Furthermore, no one is born a criminal, they learn from what they see. Everyone has the potential to be someone in life but, their environment may depict whom they become.