Introduction
Theoretical explanations of crime are imperative in examining the justification to why individuals commit offences and aid in the handling and the prevention of criminal acts (1). The Social Learning Theory, composed by Albert Bandura in 1997, proposes that learning is a cognitive process that occurs in a social forum and can take place through observations and direct instruction, regardless if there is a direct reinforcement present. Additionally, the theory suggests that learning also occurs through a process know as vicarious reinforcement, connoting that through the observation of rewards and punishments panicle learning takes place (). The following report will reflect on the criminology theory of social learning and provide …show more content…
Specifically, the criminology theory can be applied to the to the understanding of aggression and psychological dis- orders, especially in the context of behaviour modification, which alike the view expressed by professor Ronald L. Akers is a noteworthy positive. Additionally, the imperial research underpinning this theory is vast and according to George Parangimalil’s literature within the Encyclopedia of Social Deviance, the Social Learning Theory is one of the most influential contemporary criminology theories. As expressed by numerous social justice authors, specifically Jonathan R. Brauer and Charles R. Tittle within their text the “Social Learning Theory and Human Reinforcement”, the Social Learning Theory is influential in predicting criminal behavior and studying link between offenders and offences. The theory also provides an explanation of deviant behavior and the text written by Alita Gee Kee, Dale A. Steinhardt and Palk, Gavan entitled ‘Hoon driving: predicting willingness to be involved from social learning and deterrence perspectives’, positively utilises the explanation of the theory. Furthermore, due to the theory’s effect, policy implications have occurred. Specifically, the Social Learning Theory influence within programs such as mentoring, behavioral modification, delinquency prevention, peer counseling and gang interventions. The principles of the theory can be …show more content…
One of the pinnacle negative of the theory that is commonly shared across numerous papers is in regards to the principle concept that heightened association with deviant peers will increase the chances of an individual adopting those traits favorable to criminal behavior, through the mechanism of rewards and punishments. Thus, as the grounds of the theory is founded in this understanding, social justice authors Siegel and McCormick argue that this may not always be correct. This is as both authors challenge that juveniles may develop deviant traits independently and consequently seek our peers with similar attitudes. Additionally many criminology academics, such as Jon Maskay, contend that the general theory of crime posits individuals from committing offences, through the exercise of self control, and it is however, the opportunities for crime that differ. Additionally, numerous biological theorists argue that the Social Learning Theory disregards an individual’s biological state and a persons genetics, brain, and learning differences are not taken into account -this therefore presenting an opposing theoretical explanation of deviance (Jeffery, 1985:
Theoretical explanations of crime are imperative in examining the justification to why individuals commit offences and aid in the handling and the prevention of criminal acts (1). The Social Learning Theory, composed by Albert Bandura in 1997, proposes that learning is a cognitive process that occurs in a social forum and can take place through observations and direct instruction, regardless if there is a direct reinforcement present. Additionally, the theory suggests that learning also occurs through a process know as vicarious reinforcement, connoting that through the observation of rewards and punishments panicle learning takes place (). The following report will reflect on the criminology theory of social learning and provide …show more content…
Specifically, the criminology theory can be applied to the to the understanding of aggression and psychological dis- orders, especially in the context of behaviour modification, which alike the view expressed by professor Ronald L. Akers is a noteworthy positive. Additionally, the imperial research underpinning this theory is vast and according to George Parangimalil’s literature within the Encyclopedia of Social Deviance, the Social Learning Theory is one of the most influential contemporary criminology theories. As expressed by numerous social justice authors, specifically Jonathan R. Brauer and Charles R. Tittle within their text the “Social Learning Theory and Human Reinforcement”, the Social Learning Theory is influential in predicting criminal behavior and studying link between offenders and offences. The theory also provides an explanation of deviant behavior and the text written by Alita Gee Kee, Dale A. Steinhardt and Palk, Gavan entitled ‘Hoon driving: predicting willingness to be involved from social learning and deterrence perspectives’, positively utilises the explanation of the theory. Furthermore, due to the theory’s effect, policy implications have occurred. Specifically, the Social Learning Theory influence within programs such as mentoring, behavioral modification, delinquency prevention, peer counseling and gang interventions. The principles of the theory can be …show more content…
One of the pinnacle negative of the theory that is commonly shared across numerous papers is in regards to the principle concept that heightened association with deviant peers will increase the chances of an individual adopting those traits favorable to criminal behavior, through the mechanism of rewards and punishments. Thus, as the grounds of the theory is founded in this understanding, social justice authors Siegel and McCormick argue that this may not always be correct. This is as both authors challenge that juveniles may develop deviant traits independently and consequently seek our peers with similar attitudes. Additionally many criminology academics, such as Jon Maskay, contend that the general theory of crime posits individuals from committing offences, through the exercise of self control, and it is however, the opportunities for crime that differ. Additionally, numerous biological theorists argue that the Social Learning Theory disregards an individual’s biological state and a persons genetics, brain, and learning differences are not taken into account -this therefore presenting an opposing theoretical explanation of deviance (Jeffery, 1985: