Social Process Theories - Research Paper Example

? Running Head: SOCIAL PROCESS THEORIES Social Process Theories I. An Introduction to Social Process Theories: A brief definition and explanation of ‘social process theories’ and statement of the various existent social process theories like, the Social Learning Theory, the Social Control Theory, the Labeling Theory and the method of Dramaturgical Interviewing. II. Social Learning Theory: A detailed description of the concept of Social Learning Theory, the various characteristics shown by it, the criticisms leveled against it and some of its important social implications. III. Social Control Theory: Statement and Explanation of the concept of Social Control Theory and its reasons. The expansion of the theory of social control through the concept of Social Bond Theory that combines various kinds of bonds such as attachments to friends, family and siblings, commitments to one’s career, success and goals, involvements in sports teams, community services and religious groups and beliefs in honesty, justice and morality, together and justifies why an individual may observe law and order in spite of a variety of illegal activities offered by today’s society. IV. Labeling Theory: An Explanation of the concept of Labeling Theory, its prevalent practice and the corresponding negative consequences of this practice. V. Dramaturgy: An Analysis of the method of Dramaturgical Interviewing, its fundamentals and specifications. Also, a brief description of areas of its application and the criticisms leveled against it. VI. Conclusion: A concluding synopsis of the whole paper. Abstract The objective of this study is to understand the meaning of the term ‘social process theories’ and analyze some of the most important types of social process theories like the Social Learning Theory, the Social Control Theory, the Labeling Theory and the concept of Dramaturgy Interviewing. This study aims to state and discuss the definitions, criticisms and explanations leveled at these four theories and through the meanings of these concepts, it aims to establish a linkage between them and the study of crimes or criminology. It also attempts to examine whether or not these theories have any relevant implications, at the level of the society and if they do, what are those implications and in what respect can they be applied. All in all, an endeavor had been made in this research paper, to paint an accurate picture of the prevailing social process theories, in the light of their analyzed meanings and their social relevance. Introduction “Social Process Theories, in Criminology, examine how social processes in the lives of humans influence their criminal behavior.” (Grana, 2010, p.70) These theories stresses that relationships play a vital role in deciding how an individual interacts with the world around him. It is sometimes due to these relations that people commit crimes. The learning of crimes is no different than any other kind of learning and it usually takes place in intimate and closed groups wherein the trade and tools of crime are learned. There are a number of social process theories, some of which we will discuss in detail in the following paragraphs. Social Learning Theory The concept of Social Learning is based on the view that a considerable amount of learning occurs through the observance and imitation of other people’s actions and the resulting consequences of those actions. There is no awareness about whether learning a certain act or trade is positive or negative, it is a non-judgmental process of learning from another being. Research suggests that this imitation of behavior is achieved without much Trial-and-Error processes. A person may imitate another flawlessly in the first chance itself . The person who is being observed or imitated is called a ‘model’ and the process of imitation is called ‘modeling’. Parents, elder siblings, peers, celebrities, all of them and more can serve as models to any given individual. Two individuals showcasing the same kind of behavior implies a common history of models, modeling and consequences between them. This is quite evident in the society as we often come across people who resemble each other in behavior, actions and even thoughts and opinions. Children are the ones who imitate the most since their personalities are as yet unformed and they imitate elders, viewing them as role models. Generally, the people who are resourceful or respectable are imitated the most. If an act has earned someone a reward, there is a high probability for it to be imitated. Similarly, if an act earns punishment, it is seldom imitated. However, unpunished bad behavior may result in being imitated by others. This type of imitation is known as Vicarious Reinforcements. So, it can be derived that whether or not an action is imitated depends on the consequences it heralds. Thus, proper canalizing of this sort of behavior by following good role models and thus, act in a way so as to earn rewards rather than punishments, is the key to self-regulation of behavior in human beings. For example, a worker may realize that asking questions and suggestions may work with one supervisor whereas quietly doing one’s task works with another. The culmination of goal-oriented actions through the science of observation and imitation is called Efficacy. However, this social learning theory had been criticized on the grounds that there are no definite language or concepts to study behavior, in this approach. Thus, the study of observation and imitation of behavior is very vague. But, the social implications of this approach are difficult to deny. The social learning theory shows clearly the relationship between the imitation of various models and their consequences. It stresses the importance of observation in the process of learning. Also, it helps us understand the social consequences of behavior and thus, new patterns of behavior may be developed as individuals may always find exposure to new models of conduct. (Newman and Newman, 2009, p.64-65) Social Control Theory Social Control Theory stresses that every individual has the potential to commit crimes and the society offers a host of illegal activities like drug abuse, drunk driving, theft of valuables, etc to offer. So, the question this theory asks is why do individuals obey laws and rules in the society. Various answers have been given to this question by proponents of different disciplines but as per social theorists, people obey laws as they have been brought up in conformity to certain social ethics and morals. These standards have been set by the parents of an individual in the process of growing up. So, going against these norms may result in hurting their near and dear ones like family, friends, siblings, etc. This fear of hurting the people close to them stops people from actively participating in crimes. This is how the criminal tendencies in a person are controlled by a net of social bonds. For example, a employee working at a certain respectable organization may fear that doing something illegal may make the retention of his job difficult. Consequently, people with weak or no ties to family members, friends and the community, at large, commit more crimes as there is no fear of spoiling the social balance, in their case. Incidences of crime are also dependent on how a person feels about himself, his level of self-esteem and what he has to lose if he commits a crime. The Social Bond Theory expands further on the theory of social control theory. It says that individuals are bound to abstain from criminal activities owing to the various social ties they share with others and also owing to their own involvements, commitments and beliefs. Roughly, there are four types of social bonds one maintains with the society and oneself. They are ‘Attachments’, ‘Commitments’, ‘Involvements’ and ‘Beliefs’. Attachments are formed with friends, family and the community, as a whole. Commitments relate to one’s career, future prospects, and personal goals. Similarly, involvement in religious groups, social clubs, sports activities, etc, leaves less or no time to engage in criminal activities and Beliefs of honesty, morality, fairness and responsibility binds one into the social setup strongly. Bondage of an individual by all these elements ensures the abidance of law and abstinence from crimes. (Seigel, 2009, p.245-246) Labeling Theory Social Reaction Theory is also commonly known as Labeling theory. The Labeling theory defines a process wherein an individual is labeled as a troublemaker to the society for his past crimes and this labeling poses as a social stigma for him throughout his life, irrespective of his present state of life. This results in a repetitive pattern of crime committed by him. The discovery of the performance of a crime by the society leads to the labeling of the individual found engaging in it. This makes him an outcast in the society as people refuse to interact with him. Overtime, this label is taken as a valid personal identity by the labeled himself and he starts believing in whatever it describes about him. This results in his committing the same crime again and again. Labeling an individual is accompanied by humiliation and use of some or the other props of degradation like handcuffs, court cases, criminal records, etc. This is known as the Degradation Ceremony. Labeling leads to formation of stereotypes in the perception of people. For example, if a person is labeled as ‘mentally insolvent’, he is imagined to be dangerous, irrational, hysterical and untrustworthy. This opinion is formed irrespective of whether he actually has these traits. The harsher the punishment for a crime, the greater the probability of existence of a repetitive pattern of crime. As the accused is totally avoided by the society, he has no option but to associate with other miscreants and falls into the pits of graver crimes, forming gangs or notorious groups. Sometimes, even casual offenders who had committed trivial crimes are punished and labeled so harshly that they turn into hardened criminals. The process of labeling also has shades of racial, gender and economic discriminations. (Seigel, 2008, p.115-116) The implication from this theory is enormous. It can be applied extensively to study criminal behavior in individuals and find solutions to the problems discovered, pertaining to a person, in particular and the world of crime, in general. Dramaturgy “Dramaturgy is a technique of doing research by role playing” “in some symbolic interaction or social performance” (Padhy, 2006, p.145) This method of research was popularized by the sociologist, Ervin Goffman. In this method, the researchers act out certain parts in order to find out more about a subject (i.e. Person) who may be mentally ill or criminally inclined. The acting may not be deceptive, in fact the results will be better if the researchers act with self-consciousness about their biases. Facts such as the age, gender, ethnicity and religion, the biases created by these attributes, ways to counteract these biases and the biases formed in the process involving the researcher, should be kept in mind. This research methodology helps in gaining trust of the subject and thus, extracting accurate information from the subject smoothly. This method is often applied to the field of criminology to detect crimes and understand the mental working of criminals better. Some criticisms have been directed against this method. It can be stated that this method is based on deception and thus, oppressive to the subject on whom it is practiced. It is based on a distrust of the subject since it absorbs all relevant information about the subject and yet keeps him in the dark about the true facts of the interviewer. Also, it cannot be rightfully proclaimed as a scientific way as it includes politics by the manipulation of emotions of the subject, by a set of people. (Taylor, 1975, p.153) Conclusion It may be, therefore concluded that a study of the social process theories have an important implication and provides a deep insight into the minds of the miscreants. Therefore, these mechanisms can be used as ways of correction for them, by tackling the root issues of crimes. The four theories that have been discussed, especially Dramaturgy, are not just theoretical but application-based as well and if applied efficiently will provide a breakthrough in the field of criminology. References Grana, S.J (2010). Women and Justice. Plymouth: Rowman and Littlefeild Publishers, Inc. Newman, B.M and Newman, P.R (2009). Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach. USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Seigel, L.J (2009). Criminology. USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Seigel, L.J (2008). Introduction to Criminal Justice. USA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Padhy, P (2006). Crime and Criminology. Delhi: Isha Books. Taylor, I.R (1975). Critical Criminology. Boston: Routhledge and Kegan Paul Ltd. Read More