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Social learning theory assumes that criminal behavior is similar to any human behavior. It can be learned through a socialization process, which occurs when interacting with other individuals or social institutions. The duration, frequency and content of this social interaction leads to shaping people’s attitudes and behaviors towards legal codes. Ronald Akers supports differential association as a significant part of his revised social learning theory that attempts to explain deviance. However, he incorporates additional elements, such as differential reinforcement, imitations, and definitions. In the movie, Training Day, the trainee Officer Jake Hoyt needs to do prove himself and impress Commanding Officer Alonzo Harris in order to obtain …show more content…
However, the duration and intensity of the interaction play a significant role in its impact. In addition, one must value the agent of socialization in order to be impacted by him/her. Within one day, Hoyt was exposed to numerous offending behaviors, such as violence, rape, drug dealing, theft, and murder. Harris stresses one must be like a ‘wolf’ in order to survive in this world. In other words, he insists on forgetting the official academy training and obeying street codes, even if it requires breaking the laws. In order to steer the trainee into this corrupt direction, Harris stresses differential reinforcement by the idea that the position can be taken away from him. Therefore, he encourages corruption by this negative reinforcement, where something valued by the person would be taken away. Hoyt does not want to lose this new position, so he frequently breaks the law and exhibits offending behaviors throughout the day. For instance, he smokes weed while on the job, he does not turn in the rapist as he is supposed to, and he keeps quiet about Harris’ theft from the African American woman. However, the duration of this pro-criminality exposure is short; one day only. In addition, Hoyt holds standard values about police duty in enforcing the laws. He disagrees with Harris’ methods. Thus, it is reasonable to argue that he does not value his training commander as a role model. As a result, Hoyt is not completely influenced by this social interaction, and he stays true to other stronger, social influences in his life, such as the longer academy
Differential association theory was founded by Edwin H. Sutherland (Lilly, 2012, p. 43). This theory states that “any person will inevitably come into contact with definitions favorable to violation of the law and with definitions unfavorable to violation of the law” (Lilly, 2012, p. 44). Whichever definition is more prominent in a person’s mind, will lead to their decision of “whether the person embraces crime as an acceptable way of life” (Lilly, 2012, p. 44). Sutherland composed nine propositions that explained the theory. He explained that “crime is learned through the process of differential association” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). The nine propositions explained that “criminal behavior is learned” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). He explained that by communicating with others, especially those that are close to them they are more likely to pick up behaviors from those people. Differential association theory also explains that learning criminal behaviors “involves all the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning” (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). While learning a criminal behavior one not only learns “the techniques of committing the crime” but also the “specific direction of motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes” involved with crime (Lilly, 2012, p. 45). This is theory is shown throughout the book when the young Mr. Moore was influenced by the life of crime that was present in his
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.
“Training Day” displays a different level on how we view law enforcement. We are introduced to two different characters. Jake Hoyt, at first glance a calm, is introduced as a family man who has only a greater sense of justice. We see him excited to attempt is first introduction to the narcotics unit. He meets up with Alonzo the detective who’s going to chaperone him and to see if he’s qualified for the job. Alonzo is no nonsense detective, and we see this guy and already know that he is a man that does not follow the rules. This is the bases of the movie, a no nonsense cop with a rookie who follows the rules.
Social Control Theory is a “theory in criminology that proposes that individuals are prevented from committing antisocial behavior or crime because of the bonds they hold to society, such as their attachment to parents or significant others (p.5)”. From the very beginning of the movie, it was obvious that Hoyte was faced with some ethical dilemmas. In many instances he had the opportunity to make his own decision and in some case he did not. Hoyte was dedicated to protecting and serving his country, but with Harris influence his moral obligations began to dwindle as the 24-hour training period progressed. You could tell that Hoyte wanted to do the right thing, but after Harris dragged him into several illegal activities Hotyt began to not even question if what he was doing was
Differential association theory best explains the burglary deviance. There are many principles associated with this type of learning theory. Edwin Sutherland’s theory discusses how crime is a learned behavior where one’s family, peers, and environment are of great influence. Differential association theory seeks to prove that criminal behavior is learned and this paper will evaluate the connection between the two.
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,
In the movie Training Day Denzel Washing plays the role of Alonzo who is a veteran cop in the narcotics field who works the streets of Los Angeles. A rookie by the name of Jake Hoyt played by Ethan Hawke. Jake is going to be trained over a 24-hour period by Alonzo to see if he has what it takes to be a narcotics officer in the streets of L.A There appears to be several problems that arise though when Jake sees Alonzo’s choice of enforcing the law. The methods that Alonzo uses in enforcing the law are actually breaking the law. Jake begins to find himself in a moral dilemma as Alonzo is throwing the day progresses and the moral structure that Jake has an officer away.
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.
Secondly, differential association varies based on the intensity, duration, frequency, priority, and timing of one’s process of learning. Through this notion, the individual’s self is disregarded and more emphasis is placed on the extrinsic factors. Furthermore, “it is an individual’s experiences and the ways in which the individual defines those experiences which constitute to the learning of criminality”. (Gongenvare & Dotter, 2007,
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...
Similar to officers abiding by the police culture, new recruits are also considered the enemy as they could potentially break the solidary of the subculture. This is evident within the film as Alonzo, from the first interaction, did not trust Jake because he was new to the unit and did not conform with their beliefs. Furthermore, Alonzo forced Jake into smoking drugs and other illicit actions in order to see if he would abide by their rules (Training day, 2001). Since the subculture dictates new individuals cannot be trusted, this was a method of entrapment to force Jake into unethical circumstances, so Alonzo had leverage over him. Zander (1968, as cited by Jones, 2005) illustrates subcultures develop a cohesive group, which pressures others to conform, as well as those who attempt to deviate. Individuals who are new could threaten the cohesive nature of the subculture, thus justifying not trusting new officers. Jake faced immense ethical dilemmas being the ‘new guy’ on the unit, trying to fit in and advance in his career. In order to fit in and gain Alonzo’s trust, he would have to go against his morals, and even perform illegal acts risking his career. On the other hand, if he refused, he would never be accepted, removed from the squad, and possibly never advance to higher ranks within the
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.
Correctional facilities are increasingly adopting behavior modification techniques, such as operant conditioning, social learning techniques, classical conditioning and system desensitization in order to promote pro-social behavior in offenders. With the use of these techniques, antisocial and criminal behavior will become extinction. Instead, offenders will manifest pro-social behaviors that are in the proximity of society’s social norms. This will not only decrease there ate of recidivism, but make society a safer
The term reflection means the examination of personal thoughts and actions. For nurses this means focusing on how they interact with their colleagues and with the environment to obtain a clearer picture of their own behaviour. This means it is a process in which a nurse can better understand themselves in order to be able to build on existing strengths and take appropriate future action (Somerville, 2004). Reflection is a way to bring your own intuition along with empirical knowledge together. Reflective practice in nursing is guided by models of reflection. Reflective practice model serves as a framework within which nursing or other management professions can work. Reflective practice model is also a structural framework or learning model that serves the purposes of a profession and is particularly applicable to health related professions. Reflective practice enables practitioners to learn to value themselves as significant people with values and feelings that are important factors in giving care. Whilst reflective practice allows the nurse to recognise the value of their experiences, they may also need support to work through a difficult situation. This is where reflection aids nurses in dealing with these challenging experiences (Johns, 1995). Reflection on experience offers nurses the opportunity to reflect on caring in practice in ways that its nature can be understood, where the skills necessary for effective caring can be developed and most significantly, where the values of caring for people can be highlighted, both to the individual nurse and the world in general (Johns 1996)
Using the social learning theory, a recent study found that associating with deviant officers had a major effect on officers committing deviant behavior that resulted in citizen complaints. According to researchers, “officers’ vulnerable to organizational subcultures makes differential peer associations imperative, as they may enable deviant behavior by spreading the beliefs, values, definitions, and manners of expression that depart from satisfactory behavior” (Chappell & Piquero, 2004, p. 93). Officers typically approach the job in hopes of making an impact on the community and protecting citizens. It is their interaction with other officers who are involved in defiant behavior that typically affects those officers who previously followed