Criminal Justice Implications: Social Learning Theory

Criminal Justice Implications: Social Learning (Different Association) Theory
In regards to a solution to crime, according to social learning (differential association) theory, if people can learn to become criminals they can also “unlearn” these values and behaviors by exposing themselves to conventional behavior and should be rehabilitated though re-education and re-socialization. Relating this back to Rosecrance’s article on Stoopers by implementing or providing alternatives for the stoopers it would help reduce the crime and change their behaviors. Firstly, to achieve this rehabilitation for stoopers they need to be exposed to conventional behavior different to what they know. A way for this to be achieved is to have the stooper family
“The development and implementation of technical skill among stoopers closely resembles Sutherland’s conceptualizations” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 32). Rosecrance explains that when applying Sutherland’s theory to stoopers, the skill stoopers develop and use are significantly similar to how Sutherland theory entailed. “Accomplished stoopers, in common with Sutherland’s professional thieves have also achieved status” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 34). Rosecrance proves that the status achieved by stoopers is comparable to that of those in Sutherland’s theory. “Consensus among stoopers has fostered an informal but extent coed of helpfulness” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 36). The behavior stoopers continue display is similar to Social learning (differential association) theory and Sutherland’s theory, as stoopers are able to adhere to a code of helping out other stoopers in need resulting in close relation between these criminals being formed. Fourth, Rosecrance discusses differential association and states “The stooper’s behavior system fits Sutherland’s characterization that the group defines its own membership” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 37). While continuing to assess the behaviors of stoopers, Rosecrance is able to fit stoopers into the behavior system that was created to describe a professional criminal made by Sutherland. The role social organization played a role in defining the behaviors of stoopers. “The stooper’s pattern of tutelage closely resembles that described by Sutherland…in most cases, stoopers have learned the business from older and more accomplished professional” (Rosecrance, 1986, p. 37). This shows that stoopers generally fit into