Introduction
People commit crimes due to various reasons. Some do it because of a mental problem, others because of the thrill one gets out of committing the crime, some for cover up of a deeper emotional or psychological problem, and others do it out of a desperate need to survive. For some people, they commit a crime because they were exposed to criminal behavior since childhood. Whatever the reasons are, commission of crimes can be explained by the different criminological theories.
What Is the Social Learning Theory of Crime?
The social learning theory states that through exposure and observation, people tend to mimic other people's actions. They learn to conform thinking that what they are seeing is the norm, rather than a harmful action. Thus, if the action is a negative one, then the result is also negative. In such case, the reason for committing a crime is not because of the instinct to survive, but because of introduction (may be accidental or intentional) to various factors that influence the commission of a crime such as environmental, behavioral, and cultural factors, as well as symbols relating to crimes.
The theory is based heavily on observational learning, which is how a child's (or a potential criminal's) notions about morals is formed. According to Paternoster and Bachman, constantly interacting with criminals can make one think and behave as criminals do (194). Thus, if caring, loving, and giving people surround an individual, then mostly likely, the individual grows up caring, loving, and giving as well. However, if the individual is surrounded by violence, anger, and aggressiveness, then the way the individual treats other people will be the same.
Application of Social Learning Theory
A child who grows up in the slums surrounded by thieves who rob for a living, play cards all day, drink and smoke every day, and instigate fear in others, will make the child "think" that the way to live life is to rob, play cards, drink and smoke, and sow fear in others. This becomes the individual's normal everyday life. Even if the individual was born in a good family, if criminal acts are what the person sees daily, then with the help of the environment he or she is in, the mind is being molded to criminal behavior. And if the individual sees anything positive about the behavior, then committing the crime becomes morally attractive (Paternoster, R. & Bachman, R., 2001, p. 196).
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Theory
The theory is spot on in saying that through observation, potential criminals imitate what they see. This is especially true in children who develop role models and copy what adults do. Assuming that the actions being observed are all positive, then this theory produces optimistic results as well, which could guarantee a reward for the individual. It also shows that individuals can always use their reason whether or not to commit a crime. In fact, if one's notions about crime is pure evil, then most likely, the individual will not commit a crime.
The main weakness of the theory is how one forms subjective opinions and consider those opinions as either right or wrong, when in fact, what may be wrong for one, may be right for another. In addition, too much emphasis is placed on the effects of social learning on the child, but not so much thought is given on how a child processes the information he or she receives.
Conclusion
What makes a person kill or hurt another individual depends on the person's motivations. Thus, if the person sees goodness in actions he or she observes, then most likely, the person will begin to act and think the same way. And if the individual observes that an action will cause significant negative effects to another person, then most likely, he or she will inhibit himself from committing crimes.
References
Paternoster, R. & Bachman, R. 2001. Explaining Criminals and Crime. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://www2.jura.uni-hamburg.de/instkrim/kriminologie/Lehre/WS 2012_13/WB_Master_Kriminologie/Explaining criminals and crime
