Social Learning Theories - Term Paper Example

Theories of criminal behavior in Criminal justice: the learning theory According to Tibbetts (141), learning theory uses a passive approach in explaining the behavior of human beings. The theory states that people learn crime through interactions with their environment making criminal tendencies prevalent in societies where criminals reside. It is essential to restructure social institutions to reduce crime in such societies. Restructuring should focus on precautionary measures as opposed to intervention strategies. The preventive measures can include behavioral modification through rehabilitation, mentoring and the implementation of delinquency prevention policies. Moreover, scholars advocate for the enactment of fair laws that enhance criminal justice because socialization directly affects development of self. The learning theory examines the stages and processes that lead to acquisition of knowledge, development of self, and the influence of peers to socialization. According to Ryberg (300), the social learning theory recommends different approaches to curbing the rise in cases of crime in the society. For instance, the theory recommends the use of preventive and intervention policies in controlling crime. As discussed in the piece, the theory seeks to devise alternatives for the implementation of policies that are instrumental when curbing crime. Consequently, it is necessary to highlight the implications of fundamental policies that address crime in the society. Learning theory Albert Bandura, Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L. Akers are scientists who rooted for the development of the learning theory and its application when addressing crime in the society. In his works, Bandura argued that crime resulted from individual’s conformation to their environment. It is a choice that people make when options for survival are limited (Tibbetts 148). According to Bandura, people develop their identity through interactions with external stimuli. Thereafter, conscious development takes place in individuals. The development is in response to the expectations from the society. People choose to behave in a particular way to conform to the expectations of the society (Tibbetts 29). Behaviors results from response instigated by the social stimuli. As a result, behavior affects attitudes of individuals. Bandura adds that formation of identity begins in childhood before proceeding to the later stages of development in life. For example, a child might develop poor sexual tendencies based on his understanding of societal development. He becomes conscious of the ideals propagated within the society. According to the theory, individuals learn crime through interactions with individuals who justify their actions through crime. The theory adds that criminals learn in the context of the external stimuli. They learn behaviors from their peers through observations. For example, an individual may participate in theft or social misconduct based on his peer’s actions. In their actions, criminals strive to seek acceptance in the society by fulfilling their needs through crime. Besides, people choose to engage in crime as an act of conformation to the system. Their actions signify their feeling towards the society. To such people, crime is a way of life and it is something that is justifiable (Cooper & John 3). In a social context, the social learning theories explains deviancy among teenagers in the society as a response necessitated by harsh conditions of the environment. The social learning theory defines crime as a socialization process in which individuals develops their behavior through interactions with their environment. According to the theory, crime is an antisocial behavior influenced by interactions with people who lack morals. Scientists believe the theory is fundamental to addressing crime because it provides explanations that highlight causes of crime in the society (Sherman, Gottfredson, MacKenzie, Eck, Reuter, & Bushway 4). Interestingly, scholars use the theory when implementing policies since the theory is more elaborate and analyses crime independently. Moreover, the theory use of the theory is preventive as opposed to other approaches. In 1995, authorities in the United States used the theory while enacting crime policies used in Seattle, California. According to the social learning theory, peers influences individual’s participation in crime. Consequently, surroundings, misconceptions of the things that constitute right and wrong lead people to crime (Ringhoff, Lisa & John 6). For example, a sexual offender who is not restricted influences criminal behavior in individuals. Hence, the theories of criminal behavior suggest the use of different approaches to curbing cases of crime. The theories perceive crime as an act motivated by need to satisfy one’s demand in accordance with the norms in a given society. Additionally, people tend to commit offences in the absence of surveillance. Therefore, it is necessary for authorities to put in place measures to monitor the potency of crime in a place. Research conducted by criminologist in the United States, established that surveillance is more effective that the use of force in preventing the activities of criminal in the market. In the study, the authorities made the conclusions upon evaluating the impacts of the use different techniques such as forceful arrest in the avoidance of crime in drug market. Policy recommendations based on social learning theory of crime In order to devise appropriate policies to curb crime, authorities need to understand the motive behind people’s participation in crime. Thereafter, enact policies aimed towards preventing crime. The policies should focus on addressing the long-term goals rather than focusing on the short term goals. This is because the social learning theory advocate for long-term preventive measures in altering people’s perceptions and behaviors. Additionally, the policies should be normative since a normative perspective is essential to the enactment of crime policies (Cooper & John 2). Subsequently, having strong institutions to enact the policies will help curb cases of crime in the society. For example, sexual crime within the society could be addressed when the society determines the causes of immorality and sexual pervasion. As a means of focusing on long-term objectives, it is necessary to adopt preventive measures especially education and awareness. Research indicates that crime is prevalent in neighborhoods that have weak social structures. Therefore, it is important to strengthen social institutions in the society since many people have similar aspirations and there is the likeness that likeminded people can choose to engage in crime in order to exploit weak institutions to their own benefit. Nonetheless, people choose crime because it is hard to achieve individual aspirations using appropriate legal means in places where justice institutions are weak. Law agencies should use evolutionary rewards to discourage individuals from engaging in crime. One of the evolutionary rewards stratagems entails rewarding people who observe good morals in the society. Consequently, punishing people of deviant morals will reduce cases of crime in the society. This is because punishments discourage people from engaging in atrocious acts (Ryberg 380). Moreover, law enforcement agencies should use the law to restrict interactions of criminals with other members of the society. This will help in keeping away criminals from the society. From a psychological perspective, crime should be studied in detail at all levels in the society and this will help in devising a jointly solution to the problem. Furthermore, the policies should strengthen the court system whenever they are used. According to Tibbetts (34), rehabilitation is preferable in situations where punitive measures are less effective. Secondly, rehabilitative policies are effective because they control criminals based on the cognitive responses. Sociological principles are equally applicable since criminology theories explain that crime can result from premeditated actions. For example, crimes that involve detail planning does not show a connection between individuals criminality and the context that lead to crime. Law enforces should encourage parents to enroll children in social programs to learn morals (Sherman et.al 8). Moreover, subjecting the violators of the law to harsher penalties will encourage people to observe the law. Lastly, enlightening people is helpful in situations where criminals use ignorance in justifying their behaviors. Conclusion Authorities should use different approaches when addressing crime because the mitigation approaches require combination of strategies. The approaches should focus on the sociological factors that contribute to crime. This is because the sociological approach will help authorities understand the complex natures of crime. The approach will equally curb the increase in cases of robbery and other forms of violent crime because they eliminate root cause of the problem. According to Sherman et.al (6), eliminating constraints in the society will help since constraints predispose individuals to crime. For instance, the potency of individuals engaging in crime is high in societies where crime has been prevalent. Works Cited Cooper, Jonathon A., and John L. Worrall. "Theorizing Criminal Justice Evaluation and Research." Criminal Justice Review (Sage Publications) 37.3 (2012): 384. Publisher Provided Full Text Searching File. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. Ringhoff, Daniel, Lisa Rapp, and John Robst. "The Criminalization Hypothesis: Practice and Policy Implications for Persons with Serious Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System." Best Practice In Mental Health 8.2 (2012): 1-19. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. Ryberg, Jesper. "Restitutionism: A Self-Defeating Theory of Criminal Justice." Social Theory & Practice 38.2 (2012): 279-301. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Mar. 2013. Sherman, Lawrence., Gottfredson, Denise., MacKenzie, Doris., Eck, John., Reuter, Peter., and Bushway, Shawn. Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn’t, What’s Promising. National institute of justice. US department of justice. July 1998. Web. 15 March, 2013. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/171676.PDF Tibbetts, Stephen G. Criminological Theory: The Essentials. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2012. Print. Read More