Social Learning Theory and Crime - Essay Example

Social Learning Theory and Crime appears here] of appears here] This analytical essay presents informationabout the Social Learning Theory, its history and how it explains people’s motives behind committing crime. The bibliography appends seven sources in APA format. Outline I. Introduction II. History III. Motives of People Behind Committing Crime IV. Conclusion Introduction The theory that has been taken under consideration goes by the name of “Social Learning Theory” which is an extremely well-known theory that explains how people acquire certain behavior. The theory simply state that the learning process of individuals is completely dependant upon their observation of others. For example, if the observe positive actions in people around them, the anticipated result in the observed behavior, they are expected to copy, impersonate, and take on the behavior on themselves. Same goes with the observation of negative behavior. Albert Bandura was the founder and developer of this theory which pays much attention and emphasis on the significance of noticing and posturing the behaviors, mannerisms, and emotional responses of others around them. In the words of Albert Bandura, the developer himself, “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." (Moore, 1999). Basically, the social learning theory interprets human behavior with regards to incessant reciprocal interaction amongst cognitive, behavioral, as well as particular influences posed by the environment the individual lives in. The most basic procedures that play a major role in observational learning include: 1. Attention, which is inclusive of modeled events such as individuality, emotional power, intricacy, pervasiveness, practical value and qualities of the observer, such as receptive capabilities, degree of stimulation, perception and fortification of the past. 2. Retention, which includes coding of symbols, cognitive association, representative preparation, motor run through. 3. Motor Procreation that comprises of physical capacities, individual observation of reproduction, accurateness of reaction. 4. Motivation, which includes exterior, explicit and self strengthening. Considering the fact that the social learning theory comprises of consideration, recollection and motivation, it is believed to take in both cognitive and behavioral models (Social Learning Theory (Bandura), 2008). History The social learning theory that has been developed by the very well-known Albert Bandura has turned into being possibly the most powerful and prominent theory related to learning and development. Even though the theory is rooted in a vats number of the most fundamental concepts of traditional learning theory, Albert Bandura clearly conceived that undeviating reinforcement does not explicate every single type of learning. The theory that he presented put in a social factor, presenting the fact that individuals can acquire new information as well as attitudes by merely observing those around them. Also recognized as observational learning or modeling, this method of acquiring new information can be utilized in order to clarify an assortment of behaviors. Basically the social learning theory is said to be an applied science which is used to clarify the methods of learning attitudes and behavior. Nobody can deny the fact that individuals learn a lot by merely observing other people, particularly their actions and reactions. Those who generally observe positive attitudes and behaviors around them imitate a positive attitude and positive behavior. Consequently, those who observe negative behavior in people around them are usually found in a disordered emotional and mental state and are usually found in a confused state (Social Learning Theory Applied Science of Behavior, 2008). Basic work on this theory was carried out by Gabriel Tarde (1843-1904), but was later worked upon by Julian Rotter (1954), after which it was finally taken upon by Albert Bandura (1977). The theory was at first established somewhere around the 1940s so as to clarify the observable fact of why animals and humans imitate behavior. Later on, in the 1960s, Albert Bandura contributed to the growth of this theory by proving the fact that children by nature copy the behavior and attitude of other children that they observe, without even having the need or obtaining a prize for the newly acquired behavior. Albert Bandura continuous studied the human behavior and made a vast number of major contributions to the expansion of the social learning theory. Since the past couple of decades assortments of researchers have made significant contributions to the growth of the social learning theory, but it is Albert Bandura who is considered as the chief developer of the social learning theory (Social Learning Theory, 2001). As mentioned previously, social learning theory was basically worked upon by Gabriel Tarde, which suggested that social learning took place by means of four initial levels of imitation, which include: close connection copying superiors comprehension of certain notions behavior of the individual considered as role model When Julian Rotter began working on the theory, he moved beyond the theories that were based on psychoanalysis and behaviorism, and came up with a social learning theory of his own. It was suggested by Julian Rotter that the consequence of actions always has an effect on the inspiration of individuals to perform that particular behavior themselves. Rotter suggested that individuals do not wish to experience negative consequences, while on the other hand they anticipate positive outcomes or effects. If an individual anticipates a positive result from a particular behavior or attitude, or believes that there is a high chance of a positive upshot, then there is a high chance that the individual would start acting the same way. This behavior Rotter believed is durable, with affirmative outcomes, which makes a person repeat the behavior and take on the attitude for long term basis. The social learning theory put forward by Julian Rotter proposes that behavior is predisposed more by environmental factors and aspects or stimulants, and not merely psychological factors (Pervin, 2002). Later on, when Albert Bandura (1977) decided to work on the theory, he took it on himself to expand on the ideas presented by Rotter, along with the work that was previously conducted on the theory “by Miller & Dollard (1941), and is related to social learning theories of Vygotsky and Lave. This theory incorporates aspects of behavioral and cognitive learning. Behavioral learning assumes that peoples environment (surroundings) cause people to behave in certain ways. Cognitive learning presumes that psychological factors are important for influencing how one behaves” (Social Learning Theory, 2008). The theory of social learning presents an amalgamation of environmental or social as well as psychological factors that have a major influence on an individual’s behavior. Social learning theory depicts three basic necessities for individual’s to acquire and pose behavior, inclusive of attention, which comprise of retention, which means recalling one’s own observations, reproduction or having the capability to reproduce the same attitude or behavior, and motivation, which means having a good reason to wish to take on the behavior. In recent years, Walter Mischel, has produced his own work related to social learning theory, which he has built based on the work of both Rotter and Bandura. He has constructed the antigens of human behavior in specific situations with relation to "person variables". These are inclusive of competencies, which are things we believe we can achieve, perceptions, which is our personal view of the environment, expectations, which is our anticipation of the result of our attitude and behavior, subject values, which are our objectives and thoughts and self-regulation and plans, which are our ideals for ourselves and our means for achieving our aims (Social Learning Theory, 2001). Motives of People behind Committing Crime According to social learning theory, individuals learn to take part in criminal activities basically through their relationship with others. The theory claims that individuals are taught to indulge in criminal activities as they acquire notions that favor crime and usually have role models who are criminal figures. As a result of this exposure, people start thinking of crime as a very desirable act or as something which is acceptable in particular cases. As can be drawn from the social learning theory, people learn to take part in crime the same way that they learn to take on in compliant behavior, which is either through their relationship with people or to the kind of exposure they receive all through life. The major impact on people is that of intimate relationships such as family and the group of friends. As a matter of fact, being associated with people who are delinquent is the best judge of criminal behavior instead of previous delinquency. On the other hand, individuals do not actually have to be connected in order to learn from each other, for example, a person might engage in criminal activities by merely observing criminal behavior in their role models in the media. A major part of the social learning theory comprises of an explanation of the three methods which are taken upon by people to learn to take part in criminal activities, which are differential reinforcement, beliefs, and modeling. Differential Reinforcement: People might teach others to act aggressively through the reinforcements and penalties that are put down for their behavior. It is more likely for crime to occur when it is recurrently toughened and rarely penalized, or it ends up in a fairly large amount of support for example receiving a huge amount of money, approval by the society or even enjoyment and little or no reprimand or is more probable to be resistant than substitute behaviors. It is said that, “Reinforcements may be positive or negative. In positive reinforcement, the behavior results in something good—some positive consequence. This consequence may involve such things as money, the pleasurable feelings associated with drug use, attention from parents, approval from friends, or an increase in social status. In negative reinforcement, the behavior results in the removal of something bad—a punisher is removed or avoided. For example, suppose ones friends have been calling her a coward because she refuses to use drugs with them. The individual eventually takes drugs with them, after which time they stop calling her a coward. The individuals drug use has been negatively reinforced” (Crime Causation: Sociological Theories – Social Learning Theory, 2008). The social learning theory believes that there are particular environments in which crime is more probable to be reinforced and is rarely punished. This reinforcement at times is intentional. For instance, the parent of an aggressive child, who is screaming in the market usually, gives the child a piece of chocolate. Without meaning to do so, the parent has somehow encouraged the aggressive behavior of the child. Conclusion In the light of the above discussion we can hereby culminate that the social learning theory has been worked upon by a number of researchers, and the theory states that observation of people in our surroundings at times forces us into copying their behavior and attitude. Bibliography Crime Causation: Sociological Theories – Social Learning Theory. (2008). Retrieved on October 22nd, 2008 from: http://law.jrank.org/pages/815/Crime-Causation-Sociological-Theories-Social-learning-theory.html Moore, A. (1999). Albert Bandura. Retrieved on October 22nd, 2008 from: http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/bandura.htm Pervin, L. The Science of Personality. USA. Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0195159713. Social Learning Theory. (2001). Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. 2001. Pp.1. Social Learning Theory. (2008). Retrieved on October 22nd, 2008 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_learning_theory Social Learning Theory Applied Science of Behavior. (2008). EncycloCentral. 2008. Pp.1. Social Learning Theory (Bandura). (2008). Retrieved on October 22nd, 2008 from: http://www.learning-theories.com/social-learning-theory-bandura.html Read More