Social Learning Theory Paper

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Recommended: Strategies to use to reduce crime

Crime is a thing we could never avoid in this society. Every day there are thousands of crimes being committed, some not even realized. There is no easy way to reduce crime, especially with all the resources criminals have today, but there are always ways to help prevent it. Many of those ways are not cheap and is taking extra money, but saves in the long run. The best way to help prevent crime in my opinion is the involvement of others into one’s life. If someone is not going to change for their selves, they might for someone they care about. The most cost efficient and deterring way to prevent crime is with social interaction. Humans live to please others. The theories I have chosen to use to incorporate into my policy focus on how criminal …show more content…

(Akers, 1998) Thus, criminals learn the ways they commit crime through the people closest to them. These people can be their peers, family, members of groups they are involved in, etc. Any social relationship a person has can provide the motivation to commit crime. It would make the most sense that people hang around others who they want to be like. This can influence many behaviors on to a person. Social learning theory is a refinement of differential association theory. They share many of the same assumptions, such as criminal behavior is learned and criminals are not fundamentally different from noncriminals. (Dickinson, Chapter 7) Social learning theory has four parts included in it; differential association, definitions, imitation, and differential reinforcement. Definition is a component of this theory. Definitions are the attitude one has about a behavior, is it acceptable or unacceptable? Definitions can be general or specific. A general definition involves religion, morals, and other conventional values and norms that can either favor or …show more content…

This include programs in schools or a place to gather within neighborhoods for different age groups. A section for the youth, the young adults, the middle-age, and the elderly. Since people of all ages commit crimes, there will need to be an age bracket for all. These centers will have games and ways to socialize with others to build relationships and social skills. They will have workers to help with mental health problems, and if serious enough, refer to another organization. There will be spaces somewhere in the center to house people for a few days who need to get back on their feet. Counseling will be offered to anyone who comes in to the center. These centers are not only aimed at helping troubled people, but the family or friends of these troubled people too. Counseling could also be provided for the ones close to the individual. Any family or friend could join in on activities and help mend bonds there as well. These centers will be free and a person in trouble can come seek help of be referred as part of a probation requirement. To be involved with these centers, there will be mandatory random drug testing and every person will have a file with their information. Everyone will be monitored because it will not be allowed to be on drugs, have warrants, or any other outstanding reasons to not be around the other people. For social learning theory to relate to this

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