Social learning theory helps provide essential insights into comprehending criminal behavior acquisition. According to Albert Bandura, social learning theory proposes that people learn certain behaviors by perceiving what other people do and copying their actions, mainly when these behaviors are recognized or reinforced. In addition, this theory suggests that most people acquire criminal conduct through socialization. As a result of socialization, individuals learn non-typical behaviors from the media, family members, colleagues, and other vital figures in their surroundings (Kovnierova, 2020). Differentiation association is an essential characteristic of the Social Learning Theory relating to how individuals acquire criminal conduct. Differential association theory aims to discover how interacting with other individuals constantly involved in law violations contributes to criminal behavior acquisition.
Therefore, if people associate themselves with colleagues supporting or engaging in criminal acts, they are more likely to commit crimes. As a result, this illicit association heightens criminal behaviors, leading to the approval of non-typical actions (Kovnierova, 2020). Moreover, according to social learning theory, the learning process is primarily determined by the honor and retribution accompanying a specific behavior. In simpler terms, shaping human behavior is mainly influenced by reinforcement. Additionally, various mechanisms contribute to criminal acts, including monetary benefit, peer approval, criminal actions, behaviors, or desperation for dominance and power. For instance, if the crime results in an advancement in social and economic status among colleagues, it is more likely for other peers to emulate the behavior (Kearney & Levine, 2020).
Additionally, social learning theory focuses on the importance of observing and acquiring behavior through the conduct of other individuals in criminal conduct development. Individuals may notice influential figures participating in criminal pursuits without facing any consequences. Consequently, not facing punishment after breaking the law indicates that this criminal conduct induces advantageous outcomes without any risks (Paganelli & Simon, 2022). As a result, the likelihood of other observers imitating these criminal behaviors increases. Along with explaining the process of criminal behavior adaptation, social learning theory lays out different crucial strategies for intervention and prevention of this behavior. Determining the fundamental social processes regarding crime is one way through which interventions targeting reinforcement can assist in reducing criminal behavior.
Additionally, optimistic mentors, alternative reinforcement, and addressing corruptive environments can help minimize the impacts of social learning concerning crime. Generally, the social learning theory provides a substantial framework for grasping criminal conduct acquirement (Kovnierova, 2020). Human beings tend to acquire and adopt destructive behaviors through observation and internalization of these behaviors from their societal groups. There are different ways in which this behavior adaptation happens, such as by watching other people, getting positive feedback after committing a crime, or just hanging around people with bad influences. Therefore, addressing social factors is essential to effectively minimize and ultimately stop crime as it leads to safer and more unified societies.
Response 1
Social learning theory is essential for comprehending criminal behavior acquisition and adaptation. However, conducting a critical examination of the limitations and complexities of this theory is of utmost necessity. Despite this theory emphasizing the role of observation, reinforcement, and imitation in molding behaviors, it oversimplifies the compound processes associated with criminal development. Social learning theory proposes that the behavior of human beings is determined by what they observe, imitate, and what they gain or lose after doing something. However, the process is complex and cannot be explained easily when it comes to criminal conduct.
Therefore, it is essential to contemplate how independent traits and social impacts relate. Despite putting more emphasis on social factors, social learning theory disregards individuals’ genetic, predisposition, and psychological factors contributing to criminal actions (Kemp et al., 2020). Additionally, social learning theory focuses too much on instant social contexts and overlooks more extensive structural aspects contributing to criminal conduct. People’s actions and perceptions concerning certain things in life are primarily affected by the economic setting, unequal treatment, and numerous biased systems. Combining critical criminology and social learning theory drastically enhances understanding criminal behavior (Kovnierova, 2020). Therefore, forsaking structural determinants of crime may impede various effectual crime interventions.
Personal Reflection
Taking into account the principles of social learning theory prompted me to reflect on my personal experiences and behavior observations. I also liked what Utomo and Nurfadhilah (2023) proposed: that an individual’s surroundings play a big part in shaping and influencing one’s behavior. I support this research notion because there is a common consensus among empirical research and psychological theories that surroundings notably impact and shape people’s behavior (Barnert et al., 2021). As a result, reflecting on the effects of socialization activities through my social surroundings, including the media, family, and peers, allows me to understand how they impact my actions and attitudes. Additionally, I agree with Brezina’s (2019) notion that it is crucial to acknowledge that personal autonomy also plays an essential role in molding behavior, which, as a result, challenges various perceptions of criminality. I like their viewpoint as they continue to explain that through autonomy acknowledgment, guidelines and interventions can easily be used to single out individual demands, promoting productive decisions and encouraging efforts that prevent crime. Considering opinions from critical criminology and individual variances makes it possible to generate thorough approaches to preventing and intervening in crime.
Response 2
Applying social learning theory to comprehend the evolution of criminal acts over time is very important. Although social learning theory accounts for different ways reinforcement and observation impact criminal behaviors, it disregards the processes associated with minimizing and managing criminal behavior. In addition, longitudinal studies on lawbreakers reveal dynamic relationships between social learning, individual growth, and life situations over time (Barnert et al., 2021). Moreover, emphasizing observable habits and external reinforcements in social learning theory fails to observe the cognitive processes and internal motivations associated with criminal conduct.
Additionally, Cognitive scripts, plans, and decision-making practices impact personal interpretations of social cues, their expectations of punishments, and their enthusiasm to participate in criminal activities. Developing effective prevention strategies is made more accessible by understanding the factors contributing to criminal conduct (Wikström & Kroneberg, 2022). Therefore, combining cognitive theories of crime with social learning perspectives constitutes a better understanding of the cognitive-behavioral mechanisms contributing to criminal behavior.
Personal Reflection
Reflecting on social learning theory’s explanations of criminal behavior, I was prompted to consider my observations and experiences of individuals’ approaches into and out of criminality. I disagreed with (Olsson et al. (2020), who proposed that social learning only influences behavior, personal values, and moral beliefs. The reason for my different opinion is that despite all these factors molding one’s behaviors, cognitive processes also play a massive part in determining individuals’ actions and choices. Moreover, Salkovskis et al. (2023) support the cognitive proposition through ‘’cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)’’ interventions by demonstrating how a change in thought patterns contributes to a change in behavior. Additionally, it is essential to consider all aspects of criminal behavior and address all underlying social, psychological, and environmental factors.
Social learning theory builds an understanding of how people acquire criminal behavior. Longitudinal research is also essential in comprehending the cognitive perspectives and individual differences concerning crime. The reason for supporting this concept is that other studies prove that longitudinal studies are essential in capturing individual variabilities through cognitive procedures and their connection to crime (Worrall & Gordon, 2022). Additionally, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of criminal behavior and develop effective intervention and prevention strategies through interdisciplinary research.
References
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Brezina, T. (2019). Freedom of action, freedom of choice, and desistance from crime: Pitfalls and opportunities in the study of human agency. Journal of Developmental and Life-Course Criminology, 6(2), 224–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40865-019-00111-w
Kearney, M. S., & Levine, P. B. (2020). Role models, mentors, and media influences. The Future of Children, 30(2020), 83–106. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2020.0006
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Wikström, P. H., & Kroneberg, C. (2022). Analytic criminology: Mechanisms and methods in the explanation of crime and its causes. Annual Review of Criminology, 5(1), 179-203. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-criminol-030920-091320
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