Crime and Deviance

Crime and Deviance

The Social Learning Theory (derived from the work of Albert Bandura) deals with the behavior of people being learned through observing others and mimicking their actions. Young children will usually develop role models (often of the same gender) they observe like parents, teachers, or a person they watch on TV. Usually by children viewing the behaviors of their role models, they learn appropriate behavior expected from society. Wanting to feel accepted by others will often cause children to conform to suitable behavior in order to gain the feeling of approval by others.
Often times, social behavior is rewarded and/or reprimanded according to ones actions. Typically children will learn with the use of positive and/or negative reinforcement. Children act a certain way because they are attempting to gain acceptance from their behavior. If the behavior is rewarded then you may see this behavior occurring on a consistent basis, but if the behavior is met with disapproval, a change is likely to occur because the child wants acceptance.
As children grow older, parents notice a larger influence of a child’s primary group from close friends they have within the school setting. Parents observe how other children have great influence over their own child’s behavior as well as the parental influence that remains. It’s extremely hard for a child to not continually become more influenced by their primary group of friends. Although children may have observed and modeled positive and appropriate behaviors, often times the negative influences of peers can have a larger impact due to the need of wanting to feel accepted within a group. This need to feel accepted can lead to negative, criminal behavior.
Usually the attempt to label children at a young age is frowned upon because sometimes the label can cause a child to actually live up to a negative reputation. There are far fewer children that attempt to change the labels once they are placed upon them. Society feels it is necessary to punish the delinquent behavior and make an attempt to conform behavior with punishment. It is hard to put a blanket over everyone and say this is exactly what will work for everyone, but this is just one theory that is supported by many including my parents, grandparents and many of my teachers.
The Social Disorganization Theory (developed by the Chicago School) deals with linking crime rates to neighborhood environmental characteristics. One of the main principles in this theory is that the place where you grow up, usually more than your own characteristics, will determine if that person will become involved in illegal activities. This theory doesn’t refer to all types of crimes, normally referring to “street crimes” within the neighborhood.
Generally crime is more likely in communities that are poor, large in population, high rate of people moving in and out of the community and high rates of divorce and/or single parent families. There will not be any new businesses growing in these types of communities due to the higher crime rates. It is common for high crime communities to lack the skills that will allow students to do well in school or teach them how to secure a good job because those raising them are often poor, single parents who are struggling with family responsibilities. The usually don’t own their own home and have little invested in their community. With little invested in the community, many are looking to move or simply survive while in this community.
When living in these areas, educational opportunities disappear when schools can’t purchase new books, equipment and provide programs that are valuable to the students. Schools start to take away programs, like afterschool activities, sports, music and art in order to save money. Gangs will often pop up and take over by offering a way to fit in or survive within the community. Gangs promote criminal behavior which often leads to jail or death. At the end of the day, the students, the school and the community pay the ultimate price.
One attempt to combat social disorganization is to get social workers to come into the communities and speak with the gangs, encouraging them to steer clear of delinquent behavior and get involved in the community in a positive manner. Another possibility to combat social disorganization is to create some economic activities for those living within the communities. Causing the people who live within a community to have a reason to be proud of where they live will cause them to want to stay in the area and attempt to organize watch groups to help keep their community safe.