Application of Social Learning Theory to Explain a Criminal Behavior - Case Study Example

Case study Application of Social Learning Theory to explain a criminal behavior Introduction No one is born as a criminal or a super hero. For the same reason several theories are defined by several sociologists and psychologists to understand the supportive reasons for human behaviors that deviated from the ordinary range and the criminal mind. In criminology, these theories are helpful to find out the motivation behind the crime, decide the punishment and to plan social interventions to reduce crimes. Evolutionary theories, Free will/determinism, Biobehavioural theories, Psychodynamic theories, Trait theories, Social learning theories, Moral development theories, Environmental theories and Genetic theories are some of the main theories that are commonly used and widely accepted. The Social learning theory was first described by Cornell Montgomery using “four main stages of imitation” (i.e. close contact, imitation of superiors, understanding of concepts, role model behavior) in the 19th century. This was then expanded further by different sociologists such as Julian Rotter and Albert Bandura and defined the social learning theory and its aspects. The Theory used to explain the current case study is Social learning theory as explained by Albert Bandura in 1977. Definition for the Social learning theory: “Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action” (Bandura, 1977). Definition to keywords Behavior: actions of an organism or system Observational: by watching the attitudes of others Modeling: people can learn new information and behaviors by watching other people According to the above definition most of the time behavior of a person is determined by the society that he or she is living. People rarely come up with their own behavior by trial and error method and even if they do so it is a time consuming and exhausting activity. Instead they observe the society members and note their successes and failures and considered behaviors which had provided satisfactory outcome for the relevant individual. They acquire new behaviors based on the successful behaviors of the society members. The behavior can be legal or illegal, harmless or harmful or accepted or unaccepted by the society, however shown to have some benefits to the person who engage in acts related to behaviour. Therefore to identify a crime or criminal behavior to be socially learned following requirements should be full filled. 1. The person should have close contacts with people or lived in a society which is known for similar type of crimes. 2. Mental states / intrinsic reinforcement such as pride, satisfaction, or a sense of accomplishment. 3. Cannot be completely described by other theory And also need to complete the process of modeling which include Attention: Undistracted attention is required until complete learning. (example: someone has to be lived long enough in a society with particular behavior to completely learn it. Retention The ability to collect and store information on particular behavior to be retrieved in future occasions. Reproduction Actual performance of the observed, learned and stored behavior. Reproduction attempts help to further improve the skills of performance of the learned behavior. Motivation An individual has to be motivated to perform the learned behavior. Reinforcement can increase the motivation while punishments can reduce the motivation. Application of the Social Learning Theory to the Bert’s case study. Back ground: Bert is a 28 year-old male who has been found guilty and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for a break-in at a motor factory. He had a troubled childhood and family history of crimes and had been engaging in criminal acts such as stealing from age of 14. He had been caught and punished for many times. He is married and has two small children and don’t want to be punished due to fear of losing his family. However he did it again been influenced by friends and financial difficulties and received a 4 year imprisonment. The Bert’s story clearly shows the completion of first requirement, that he had a wide chance to observe the particular behavior related to crime (family history of crime) for a substantially long time. The second requirement is mental states or intrinsic reinforcement also fulfilled since he cannot find another livelihood to live and his need to serve his family. Complying with the third requirement this case of the Bert cannot be fully described by other commonly used theories even though some of the aspects of the Bert’s case can be described by other theories. How did Bert acquire this behavior? According to the information, his farther had a lengthy criminal record and had been imprisoned time to time throughout his childhood. Both of his bothers were convicted for crimes related to stealing and had been imprisoned numerous times. However one of his brothers was able to settle. His brother in-law was also a criminal although his sister had not done anything against the law. While not in prison, his father drank heavily and domestic violations were common against the family. Although his mother tried her best to protect children she could not play a major role due to her illiteracy. Therefore major characters Bert found in his life all related to crimes. His friends also involved in crimes. The background information is sufficient to determine that Bert has closely observed the criminal behaviors sufficiently to learn. Family models best fitted with the scenario. Although friends’ influenced (sub cultural models ) involved the last crime, behavior of the family members is the key factor. How was Bert’s behavior instigated? It is mentioned that Burt didn’t have chance to learn any respected livelihood due to his dysfunctional family and frequent long imprisonments he received. He was abused by his parents as a child and no significant support was granted from them. Although he worked as a laborer he did not like the job. Because he cannot read and write it was not possible to find a desired job. He had to take care of his wife and two children but lacked financial support. It was also mentioned that Bert and the family (wife and two children) was living in a rundown house. Due to above reasons and the influence of his friends although he promised his wife that he will not steal after the last imprisonment he did it again. His friends, influence can be considered as an incentive inducement and sub cultural models which encouraged him to do something he really wanted to stop. The above reasons are adequate to identify the mental states or intrinsic reinforcement of the Burt to engage in the said crime is to accomplish his family needs which required money as well as care. How was his behavior maintained? Although punishments are useful to change behaviors, in this case they become ineffective as Bert did not possess skills to engage in accepted job other than stealing. Further he was familiarized with punishments and stealing provided him immediate and significant tangible rewards which may be easy to accomplish compared to wages earned from labor. Early stealing experiences have further improved his skills in crimes making them more and more easier. It is possible to perceive positive picture about his own skills and friends might have made him self-reward by appreciating his skills. Further his alcohol addiction and lack of self control made him an easily led follower. He accepted his misconduct and feared to lose his family ties. The treat of losing his family is the most upsetting punishment for him than the 4 year imprisonment. He disagrees with the length of his punishment and has misinterpretation of consequences such as “he only stolen from a factory not a private home”, “the owner was probably insured” In order to above it was evident the completion the process of modeling which includes four steps. Attention: Proof of uninterrupted attention is required to consider a particular behavior as socially learned. In this case from the birth Bert experienced criminal acts, child abuse and domestic violations which can lead to a negative impact on the society. Burt did not have a chance to experience something different throughout of his life. His father’s regular criminal acts and imprisonments, mothers low education level, brothers’ criminal acts and criminal behavior of his friends provided him a chance to continuously observe the criminal behaviors without interruption. The attention to criminal behaviors of his closely known partners of the society is much reinforced by his own imprisonments served time to time from age 14. During his prison stays he might have more chances to share criminal experiences with prison mates accumulating more information. Due to his troubled childhood, lack of care from parents and imprisonments he didn’t have a chance to learn anything useful to distract the continuous attention to the criminal behaviors. Therefore considering the provided information it can be suggested that he had the undistracted attention to the criminal behaviors of closely known people specially family members. Retention: The second step of the modeling process is retention or storing of information related to behaviors and use in future. Stealing for the first time at age of 14 shows that he has stored and used what he observed. Reproduction Reproduction is the actual performance of the observed, learned and stored behavior. Bert’s frequent criminal acts prove the regular use of information he stored. He was well-known for his crimes and can be assumed that he had also developed skills in crimes. Motivation An individual has to be motivated to perform the learned behavior. Lack of skills to find a socially accepted job and developed skills in crimes motivated him to continue. He didn’t like the punishments due to fear of losing his family in the current case. But his friends’ influence motivated. Summery Bert developed a behavior related to crime mainly stealing which can be explained by family models in social learning theory. Sufficient evidence was available to understand the families history of crime. His behavior maintained as he did not posses much skills to find a job. However after the last one year imprisonment he decided to refrain from misconduct but unfortunately faced the same financial problems. Reinforced by the friends influence (sub cultural models ) he broke in at a factory and stole again and was punished. He worried about the potential separation of his family and hopes to stay out for good after imprisonment. Conclusion The Bert’s case study can be well explained by social learning theory and is an example for family models and sub cultural models. References 1.Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A Social Learning Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 2.Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. New York: General Learning Press. 3.Baum, W. M. (1994). Understanding behaviorism: science, behavior, and culture. New York, HarperCollins College Publishers. 4.Craighead, W. E., Nemeroff, C. B., Craighead, W. E. (2002). The Corsini encyclopedia of psychology and behavioral science. 5.Dusenbery, David B. (2009). Living at Micro Scale, p. 124. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. 6.Krohn, M. D., Akers, R. L., Lanza-Kaduce, L. & Radosevich, M. (1979). Social Learning and Deviant Behavior: A Specific Test of a General Theory. American Sociological Review, 44. Read More