Social learning theory has been something of debate since it has been in existence. Some people believe that crime is learned while others debate that it is not learned that it fails to explain where the criminal behavior came from. Social Process theory is said to be a way to deter people from crime. They do this by making programs for people to do either in jail or out.
What social learning theory is?
Social learning theory is said to be learned according to Siegel research (2011) "social learning theorist believe that crime is a product of learning the norms, values, and behaviors associated with criminal activity." (p.173). This theory includes two different learning forms which are differential association theory and neutralization theory. Siegel puts it this way (2011) "Two of the most prominent forms of social learning theory: differential association theory and neutralization theory." (p.173).
If crime is learned the techniques to do so are as well. Siegel put it this way (2011)
" Social learning can involve the actual techniques to crime (how to hot wire a car or roll a joint), as well as the psychological aspects of criminality (how to deal with the guilt or shame associated with illegal activities)." (p.173). People who do crime sometimes might feel guilty especially if it is their first offense. Chronic offenders might not feel guilty for the crimes they do because they have learned to control the feeling of guilt.
Differential Association Theory
Differential association theory is one of the social learning theories that was thought up by a social learning theorist. Siegel said (2011) "One of the most prominent social learning theories is Edwin H. Sutherland's differential association theory."(p.173). In 193...
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...e law. Siegel said (2011) "offenders frequently respect and admire honest, law-abiding persons. Those admired may include entertainers, sports figures, priests and other members of the clergy, parents, teachers, and neighbors." (p.177).
Some people argue that people don't learn criminal behavior before they act on them. Siegel's say's (2011) "little evidence exists that people learn the techniques that enable them to become criminals before they actually commit criminal acts." (p.179). Learning theories do have a role in the study of delinquency and criminal behavior. Siegel says (2011) "they help explain the role that peers, family, and education play in shaping criminal and conventional behavior." (p.179).
Works Cited
Siegel, J. L. (2011). Social Process Theories . Criminology The Core (pp. 173-180 and 191-194). Belmont California : Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Social behavior responds to a complicated network of rewards and punishments. The more a behavior is rewarded, the more likely it is to continue. On the flip side of this, the more a behavior is met with negative consequences, the more it is likely to stop. In any given social situation, whether someone commits a crime is largely dependent on his past behavior, or whether someone has received a positive reinforcement to a that crime. According to Social Learning Theory, crime is a direct response to this reinforcement. So in other words, if rewards are greater than punishments, the crime will be committed. Social Learning Theory is meant to operate as a general theory of crime.
First and foremost, the theory states that criminal behavior is learned, meaning that the behaviors of an individual are influenced and shaped by those they associate with (Clinard & Meier, 2015). The primary reference point here is the nuclear family. Parents teach their children how to walk and talk, who grow up with siblings or in some cases, elderly relatives. With good reason, it is widely held that these interactions create the foundation of the individual’s conception of societal norms and values. That being said, if the individual is capable of assessing proper behavior in society, they are also capable of learning what is considered
In my opinion, the social learning theory adequately explains the examples of criminal behavior portrayed in the CNN documentary. Social learning theory was shown through
There are many research findings that support differential association theory. Pratt and his associates discovered that the association between crime and differential association theory are fairly strong (Siegel 239).
Social learning theory was first developed by Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L Akers in 1966 (Social Learning theory, 2016). In 1973, Akers wrote a book entitled Deviant Behaviour: A Social Learning Approach, which discussed Aker’s conception of the social learning theory. He developed social learning theory by extending Sutherland’s theory of differential association (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is based on the principles of Pavlov’s operant and classical conditioning. Akers believes that crime is like any other social behavior because it is learned through social interaction (Social Learning theory, 2016). Social learning theory states that the probability of an individual committing a crime or engaging in criminal behaviour is increased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is classified as a general theory of crime, and has been used to explain many types of criminal behaviour (Social Learning theory, 2016). Furthermore, social learning theory is one of the most tested contemporary theories of crime. There are four fundamental components of social learning theory; differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement and imitation (Social Learning theory,
Through Social Learning Theory, an individual can be studied based on the behavior acquired by a role model. Verbal conditioning procedures and observation influences the response to an individual’s personality. Environment factors contribute to the Social Learning Theory. Antisocial model is a major contribute to crime, which influences negative characteristics. The Social Leaning Theory has three core social concepts the must be followed: observational learning, intrinsic reinforcement and modeling process.
In addition to this overview Sutherland outlines nine specific factors which may enhance one’s ability to learn the criminal behaviors but for the purposes of this paper, three of the nine will be analyzed closely;
Social process theory views criminality as a function of people's interactions with organizations institutions and processes in society. Social process theorists believe that children learn to commit crime by interacting with, and modeling the behaviors of others they admire or respect. Social process theory focuses on upbringing and socialization, which stems from parents, peers, or teachers (Siegel, 2011, p. 13-14).
High crime rates are an ongoing issue through the United States, however the motivation and the cause of crime has yet to be entirely identified. Ronald Akers would say that criminality is a behavior that is learned based on what an individual sees and observes others doing. When an individual commits a crime, he or she is acting on impulse based on actions that they have seen others engage in. Initially during childhood, individuals learn actions and behavior by watching and listening to others, and out of impulse they mimic the behavior that is observed. Theorist Ronald Akers extended Sutherland’s differential association theory with a modern viewpoint known as the social learning theory. The social learning theory states that individuals commit crime through their association with or exposure to others. According to Akers, people learn how to be offenders based on their observations around them and their association with peers. Theorist Akers states that for one, “people can become involved in crime through imitation—that is by modeling criminal conduct. Second, and most significant, Akers contended that definition and imitation are most instrumental in determining initial forays into crime” (Lilly, Cullen, and Ball 2011:57). Although Akers’ theory has been linked to juvenile delinquency in the past, it has also been tested as a possible cause of crime overall. Individuals learn from observation that criminal behavior is justifiable in certain circumstances. In connection with juvenile delinquency and crime, peers and intimate groups have the most effect on individuals when associated with criminal behavior. One is more likely to mimic the behavior of someone who they have close ties with, whether the behavior is justifiable or...
Social learning theory argues that individual behavior is shaped through the process of reinforcement and punishment. It argues crime is largely detrmined during childhood as a result to incompetent parenting, and tends to persist thereafter.. Differential reinforcement is defined as the balance of anticipated or actual rewards and punishments that follow or are consequences of behaviors. Social learning theory focuses on four principles: Differential association, differential reinforcement, imitation and definitions. The debt of differential association theory can be seen in these for principal said to affect the individual's probability of committing law violations.
In conclusion, social learning theory and labeling theory are both widely viewed. Society should understand why crime happens as it pertains to theories of crime in order to mitigate it. There are many examples that prove both theories. Lastly, there are programs which are beneficial to people of society and that with these programs we can mitigate the crime around
In the end, the Social Process Theory shows a relationship of deviant behavior and how this behavior is learned. It also shows how people react to social norms in a community. Then people are labeled and respond to those labels if they cannot rise above them.
There are numerous ideas in the area of criminology that attempt to interpret the causes behind why people commit crimes. Social process idea is one such idea and affirms that criminal actions are taught by viewing criminalistic actions by others (Schmalleger, 2012). The four kinds of Social method theories are Social learning idea, Social command idea, labeling idea, and dramaturgical viewpoint. Throughout this term paper, we will gaze at two of these theories, Social discovering theory and the Social command theory. This essay will converse about the Social method theory's significance to criminology, as well the history of its development.
The learning theory was described by Tarde as “something learned by normal people as they adapted to other people and the conditions of their environment” (Bohm & Haley, 73) this was set to be called imitation. But, further studies of this theory by Sutherland developed that “persons become criminal do so because of contacts with criminal definitions and isolation from anti-criminal definitions” (Bohm & Haley, 73). In other words, crimes varied in how the community was structured. Advancements to the theory followed and divided the learning theory into four sections positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, extinction and punishment. The idea of positive reinforcement meant that people did something for the reward such as stealing. The negative reinforcement is something that takes away and increases response, such as drug addicts to relieve pain. Further research of the theory led to criminals can experience extinction which is “behavior that previously was positively reinforced is no longer reinforced” and punishment which is “aversive stimulus to reduce a response”. These ideas emerged and advanced the learning theory. The learning theory was then seen as a theory to punish criminals for their actions, in order to cause extinction. Since Tarde’s explanation to now the learning theory has drastically advanced and provided many answers as to find ways to why one commits crimes and why
Behavior and social learning are two theories that are inherently intertwined. Behavior to some extent is taught for social reasons, and social learning can very much shape and create behaviors. While behavior is something intentionally taught, social learning can teach and reinforce many unintentional behaviors, such as dishonesty or aggression. In order to adequately discuss these two interrelated topics, theory exploration is in order.