Table of Contents
What social learning theory explain white-collar crime?
Sutherland’s research on white-collar crime is based on his own differential association theory. This learning theory of deviance focuses on how individuals learn to become criminals . Differential association theory assumes that criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other persons. Sociological theories of criminology believe that society influences a person to become a criminal. Examples include the social learning theory, which says that people learn criminal behavior from the people around them, and social conflict theory, which says that class warfare is responsible for crime. Edwin Sutherland first introduced the concept of white-collar crime in 1939 during a presentation to the American Sociological Association. As noted in the introduction, Sutherland (1949) defined white-collar crime as “crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.”
How does social learning theory relate to crime?
The social learning theory of crime argues that some people learn to commit crimes through the same process through which others learn to conform. The theory assumes that people, at birth, have neither a motivation to commit crime nor to conform. Many behaviors that are learned from others produce satisfying or reinforcing results (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory also helps to explain why people engage in, as well as refrain from, criminal behavior. It also explains how we conform to and violate norms, including the norms of one’s own group or culture. Social Learning Theory postulates that people can learn by observing others. For example, we learn table manners by observing our parents at the dinner table. Social learning theory suggests that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others. Psychologist Albert Bandura developed the social learning theory open_in_new as an alternative to the earlier work of fellow psychologist B.F. Skinner, known for his influence on behaviorism. Bandura theorized that there are two types of social learning: Reinforcement learning and Vicarious learning.
What is social learning theory examples in crime?
Individuals often model or imitate the behavior of others, especially if it is someone that individual looks up to or admires. For example, an individual who witnesses someone they respect committing a crime, who is then reinforced for that crime, is then more likely to commit a crime themselves. For example, individuals are more likely to imitate others’ behavior if they observe them receive reinforcement for their acts. Social learning theory has much support and is perhaps the dominant theory of crime today. The goal of the social learning theory is to show that an individual can learn in multiple ways. People make choices based on self-reflection, but mainly the environment in which a person finds themselves influences the way they behave and learn. Akers’ social learning theory posits that peer associations, attitudes, reinforcement, and modeling are predictors of delinquency and crime in general. The Interactionist Perspective: Social Process Theories Social process theories all stress that crime results from the social interaction of individuals with other people, particularly their friends and family, and thus fall under the interactionist perspective outlined in Chapter 1 Understanding Social Problems.
Who created social learning theory of crime?
Social learning theory has its roots in the work from the 1940s with Dr. Edwin Sutherland differential association. Dr. Sutherland theory of differential association stated that crime is learned through interactions with close associates. The theory of differential association, put forth by Edwin H. Sutherland (1), is a learning theory which formulates the process as one whereby criminal behavior is learned in association with those who have criminal attitudes and values, as compared to associations with those who have noncriminal attitudes and values. Social learning theory has provided the basis for some prevention programs. If the assumption is made that delinquent behavior is transferred through the social learning process, then controlling and altering the process or the environment that allows social learning to occur can reduce crime and victimization. White-collar crime is a term first coined by sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1949 who defined it as a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status during his occupation. Some criticisms of social learning theory arise from their commitment to the environment as the chief influence on behavior. It is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. Albert Bandura’s social learning theory suggests that observation and modeling play a primary role in how and why people learn. Bandura’s theory goes beyond the perception of learning being the result of direct experience with the environment.
Who are the theorists of white-collar crime?
The American sociologist Edwin Sutherland coined the phrase “white-collar crime” to define illegal acts committed both by individuals and organizations of higher statuses while performing in a legitimate occupation. Sociologists have emphasized that white-collar crimes are particularly harmful to society because they are committed by persons in power who are expected to set a moral example and behave responsibly. This type of law is concerned with non-violent crimes committed by companies against members of the public (corporate crime) or crimes committed by individuals against companies (white-collar crime). Social learning theory has its roots in the work from the 1940s with Dr. Edwin Sutherland differential association. Dr. Sutherland theory of differential association stated that crime is learned through interactions with close associates.
How does social learning theory explain theft?
This theory states that the people around someone criminal can be the cause of criminal behavior since people learn from others in their community. The social learning theory states that a person is likely to commit criminal activity if they are surrounded by others involved in criminal behaviors. Social learning theory also promotes self-efficacy via constructive feedback. Students who receive positive reinforcement tend to have more confidence in themselves and their abilities—the theory argues that a positive interaction will stand out in their mind, and they will want to repeat their good behavior. There are three important sociological theories: strain, social learning, and control theories. Bandura’s theory of social learning Bandura proposed that this type of learning involved four different stages – attention, retention, reproduction and motivation.