Social Learning Theory and juvenile delinquency

Social Learning Theory and juvenile delinquency Introduction The purpose of this essay is to examine the empirical studies of the Social Learning Theory on juvenile delinquency. Juvenile delinquency entails the term that is used to explain to young people who have not attained majority age and are involved in committing crimes. Delinquency refers to the failure to follow laws that are set by the state.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Social Learning Theory and juvenile delinquency specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to the sociological aspect of criminology, social interactions and individualism are the factors behind the juvenile delinquency. Usually, society does not exist as an island but rather different person interacts and this ensures that the society continues to exist. The social interaction theory and juvenile delinquency have been written extensively over the years and the studies have proved to be logically consistent and also useful in providing the empirical support. Thus, the studies play an important role of explaining all the social behaviors without which it is impossible to explain the causes of juvenile delinquency. The empirical studies of the Social Learning Theory on juvenile delinquency helps to provide an insight on the past, present as well as the future of criminology i.e. the study sheds light on the future directions of social interaction theory. The main aim of social interaction theories on juvenile delinquency is to explain how such social influences as religion, family and politics shapes a person over time. The social interaction theories on juvenile delinquency assume that interplay exists between an individual, the environment and delinquent acts. Explanatory concepts of social interaction theories on juvenile delinquency The social interaction theory on juvenile delinquency is comprised of four main explanatory concepts i.e. the differential association theory, definitions theory, imitatio n theory and differential reinforcement theory. Differentiation association theory is a social interaction theory that was formulated by Edwin Sutherland. According to this theory, people develops deviant behaviors by interacting and associating themselves with those who engages themselves in deviant behavior i.e. one can learn positive or negative behavior through interaction. Sutherland in his Differentiation Association Theory argued that juvenile delinquency is caused by observation and social interaction. According to this theory one is deemed to act in a deviant manner as a result of association with group members who favor juvenile delinquency than those members who value the societal norms. This theory, also argues that the familiy unit is the major source of learning behaviors.Thus,if ones’ familiy unit is made up of people who are engaged in deviant behaviors, then one is bound to develop the same kind of behaviors.Advertising Looking for research paper on c riminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Also,the theory argues that one learns certain norms and behaviors through the internet, mass media e.t.c. formulating the differential association theory, Sutherland used three concepts i.e. the culture conflict, cultural transmission theory and the ecological transmission theory. The culture conflict concept explains the presence of many crimes in the society and also the progress towards becoming a criminal. Sutherland’s theory is thus important as it helps to explain the juvenile delinquency in the society (Morrison, 1995, P.51). Definitions theory was developed by Aker and it refers to a person’s orientations, explanations, justifications e.t.c. that explains as to whether morally right or incorrect. Definitions theory of juvenile delinquency is thus the process whereby one evaluates the rightfulness or wrongness of a particular action. According to this theory. The law definitions may be specific or general i.e. a person may obey law generally and in turn violate specific provisions of the law. Definitions are comprised of behaviors that are learned as a result of interactions and other societal norms that conforms the delinquent acts. Specific definitions render one to act in a certain manner and the more one learns specific or general attitudes, the higher the chances of engaging in delinquency acts (Krohn et.al. 2009, P.104). Imitations theory of juvenile delinquency refers to the process whereby one imitates behavioral characteristics of others by observing them. The imitation theory of social delinquency was modeled by Gabriel Tarde who a French criminologist.Tarde was held the view that the regional differences that exists in crime rates are as a result of local variations i.e. alcoholism and poverty and not as a result of biological factors. Tarde also argued that juvenile delinquency is a lifestyle that is learned through social i nteraction.Tarde in his imitation laws argued that juvenile delinquency is a function of interacting with people who have deviant behaviors. With this regards, a criminal undergoes through phases of apprenticeship which is similar to that of a lawyer or a doctor. Tarde came up with three laws that provided an account for the imitations and juvenile delinquency. The first imitations law holds that people tends to imitate others when they are near one another. Thus, imitation is eminent in most cities and towns that are densely populated. The second imitation law holds that those people who are inferiors tend to imitate their superiors. With this regards, juvenile delinquency originates from the superiors and later on, descends to lower ranks.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Social Learning Theory and juvenile delinquency specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The third imitation law by Tarde holds that, it is poss ible to substitute fashions particularly when the two arises at the same time. The imitation theory of juvenile delinquency also held the view that crimes originates in the capital cities. For instance, carjacking, terrorist activities and other major crimes are prevalent in metropolitan cities as opposed to rural areas. Differential reinforcement theory of juvenile delinquency is concerned with the balance that exists between the punishments and rewards that occurs following a particular behavior. This balance plays a vital role in enabling individuals to behave in a particular manner.Thus,the more the rewards for juvenile delinquency, the higher the tendency to commit a crime and vice versa. Reinforcements and punishments can be nonsocial e.g. the direct consequences of alcoholism and drugs abuse. Causal factors of juvenile delinquency The youths use the social interactions among themselves as a means to commit crimes. The social interactions are a concern among many parents as th ey fear that their children may associate themselves in bad company and in turn commit delinquent acts. The social interaction among the deviant youths acts as a means through which the youths influence each other. The social learning theories that are presented by Akers, Sutherland and Marza explain that juvenile delinquencies occur in causal terms. The causal aspects of juvenile delinquency include the individual differences, social structures, cultural factors and social psychological (Burfeind, Bartusch, 2006, P.66).The individual differences includes the psychological and biological factors. Various studies of the social interaction theory on juvenile delinquency reveal that the familiy interaction plays an important role of promoting behaviors among young children. High strictness and low support contributes to juvenile delinquencies i.e. they causes an increase in post-punishment of the acts that were previously forbidden. Personality is interrelated with one’s suscep tibility to reward or punishment and therefore, the extraverts are usually less likely to acquire deviant behaviors. On the other hand, strong conditioning has the effect of causing inhibition of criminal behaviors particularly in environments that encourage juvenile delinquency.Thus,the success of social responsibility and socialized depends is largely dependent on ones’ conditionality. The studies have also considered IQ among offenders be the main reason behind juvenile delinquency (Kim, 2008, P.23). The social factors of juvenile delinquency include the inequalities and opportunities. Poverty and inequality has the effect of frustrating young people and in-turn causing them to engage in criminal activities. This is due to the fact that, they usually feel that inequality exist between what other people have and what the youth believe they ought to have. According to social control theory, delinquency arises when the social bonds are broken.Advertising Looking for research paper on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Travis Hirsch in his analysis came up with four elements of social bonds of an individual i.e. attachment, commitment, involvement and belief. Attachment is made of such aspects as sensitivity and affection for others. According to Travis, commitment included such acts as investing in conventional societies. Involvement entails spending a considerable amount of time on conventional duties whereas the belief is the extent upon which the youths feel they should abide by the laws. According to Hirsch’s ,one is less likely to engage in criminal activities if he or she is strongly attached to the teachers or parents.Also,a child who has dedicated his or her effort and time in schools’ conventional activity is likely to conform and rarely engages in delinquent acts. However,Hirschi used empirical data that was obtained from the adolescents self reports in testing his analysis of juvenile delinquency and this made his work to be considered as unique.Aker also noted that Hirsc h’s’ work was unusual as far as juvenile delinquency is concerned (Sutherland et.al.1992,P.71). The cultural factors that have been considered as risk factors with regards to juvenile delinquency include such aspects as societal norms that promote violence in resolving disputes. Studies that demonstrated the risky factors that cause juvenile delinquency were first conducted in the early 20th century. The research was first done in the analysis by Breckinridge and Abbott in 1922 and later in the analysis by Healy in 1915.However, the research findings by Breckinridge, Abbott and Healy are newly repeated in the analysis by Loeber and Farrington in 1998.Healy in his study argued that juvenile delinquencies begins at childhood i.e. all confirmed delinquents starts their careers in their early years. Healy also noted that the repeated offenders have the greatest impact in the society as a result of their offending frequencies. Healy emphasized on the importance of beginning the treatment at an early period.Afterwards, Loeber and Farrington in their studies argued that juvenile delinquency arises through the interaction of the following factors i.e. individual, contextual, and situational as well as the community factor. They also pointed out that serious juvenile offenders starts to display their juvenile delinquency at childhood and thus there is need for early intervention.However, Loeber and Farrington in their studies contended that the juvenile offenders poses a greater challenge with regards to the juvenile justice policies due to the fact that they are responsible for virtually all the criminal activities in the society (Rosenheim, 2002, P.201-203). Juvenile delinquency and time With regards to the studies of social learning theory on juvenile delinquency history, there is a pattern that is revealed.Thus, the old studies of social learning theory on juvenile delinquency are usually discarded and they are deemed to be inadequate and outdated. Mu ch emphasis is given to new studies due to the reason that crime as well as juvenile delinquency are keep on changing with time.However, this concept is rarely studied systematically and the empirical studies of the social learning theory on juvenile delinquency have suggested that juvenile delinquency does not change with time. Primarily, juvenile delinquency involves property crimes rather than violence and its exhibited by males. Such activities usually start at a very early age and fully peaks at teenage. The delinquent acts are more common in children from poor background and in major cities and towns. As far as many young people engage in juvenile delinquency, only a few of them commits serious offenses regularly. This implies that juvenile delinquency have remained the same over the years (Bruce et.al. 2000, P.422). However, the conceptions regarding juvenile delinquency have greatly changes over the years even though the extent and nature of delinquent behaviors have remaine d them same. The reasons behind juvenile delinquency have largely been attributed the broken social bonds. However, the manner in which the theorists and researchers interpret data concerning the social learning theory on juvenile delinquency has changed (Bruce, et.al. 2000, P.33). Conclusion An empirical study of the social learning theory on juvenile delinquency reveals that several patterns have emerged over the past few years. The conceptions concerning juvenile delinquency have changed in that the past decade has seen criminals using guns in carrying out their criminal activities. There have been changes too regarding the reasons behind juvenile delinquency. The biological aspects such as IQ have however been considered as the main reason behind juvenile delinquency. The empirical study of the social learning theory on juvenile delinquency has found out that delinquent behaviors are strongly linked with family variables. The empirical studies revealed that delinquent behaviors begin at childhood but they have failed to explain the adult outcomes among the offenders. Reference List Bruce, D et.al. (2000). Juvenile delinquency: historical, cultural, and legal  Perspectives. Amststerdam: Elsevier. Burfeind, J. Bartusch, J. (2006). Juvenile delinquency: an integrated  Approach. London: Jones Bartlett Learning. Kim, H. (2008). Juvenile delinquency and youth crime.Hauppauge: Nova Publishers. Krohn, M. et al. (2009). Handbook on Crime and Deviance. Berlin: Springer. Morrison, W. (1995).Theoretical Criminology.London: Routledge. Rosenheim, M. (2002). A century of juvenile justice. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Sutherland, E.et.al. (1992). Principles of Criminology. Maryland: Rowman Littlefield.

How a Forest Ecosystem is Defined

How a Forest Ecosystem is Defined Forest ecosystems are defined by a salient or common set of characteristics that make the forest ecology of a particular area unique. These very complex sets of forest conditions are studied by forest ecologists who try to isolate and classify the common structural patterns that continually reoccur in a particular forests environment. The perfect forest ecosystem is where simpler biotic communities live in the same approximate space with increasingly more complex biotic communities to each communities benefit. In other words, it is where many individual biotic communities symbiotically live in harmony with other biotic communities in perpetuity for the benefit of all neighboring forest organisms. Foresters have developed a somewhat limited classification based on plant climax types, or, the type of vegetative communities that would develop under idealized stable conditions over the long-term. These classifications are then named for the dominant overstory trees and key indicator plant species that live together in the understory. These classifications are necessary in the everyday practice of forest management. So, timber or cover types have been developed by forest scientists and resource managers from extensive sampling within vegetation zones that have similar elevational, topographic, and soil relationships. These forest/tree types have been neatly and nicely mapped for the largest forested areas in North America. Maps of these type classes are also created for single and multiple forests as part of a forest management plan. Unfortunately, these somewhat rudimentary forest ecosystem classifications do not completely define all flora and fauna biology that determine a true but complex forest ecosystem and certainly not the whole ecosystem itself. Forest Ecology Charles Darwin, famous for his Theory of Evolution, came up with a metaphor he called the tree of life. His Tree of Life imagery illustrates that there is but one common biological nature and origin and that all living species experience and must share space together. His enlightened studies ultimately fathered a new science called Ecology - from the Greek oikos meaning household - and following by necessity comes the study of forest ecology. All ecology deals with the organism and its place to live. Forest ecology is an ecological science dedicated to understanding the complete biotic and abiotic systems within a defined woodland area. A forest ecologist has to deal with basic biology and community population dynamics, species biodiversity, environmental interdependence and how they coexist with human pressures including aesthetic preferences and economic necessity. That person also must be trained to understand the nonliving principles of energy flow, water and gas cycles, weather and topographical influences that effect the biotic community. An Example of a Forest Ecosystem We would love to provide you with a neat description of the perfect forest ecosystem. It would be lovely to find forest ecosystems that are cataloged by similarity and nicely listed by region. Alas, ecosystems are dynamic living things and always subject to things like ecological aging, environmental catastrophe and population dynamics. Its like asking a physicist to seamlessly unify everything from the infinitely small to the infinitely large. The problem with defining a forest ecosystem is the variability of its size with a limited understanding of the systems within systems which are extremely complicated. A forest ecologists job is safe. Defining a forests size in a forest ecosystem that covers several states is completely different than one that occupies just several acres. You can readily see that there could be innumerable systems, depending on the definition of parameters and depth of each study. We may never know all there is to complete the study nor gather all the information necessary to our final satisfaction. We end with this definition of a forest ecosystem developed by the Convention of Biological Diversity: A forest ecosystem can be defined at a range of scales. It is a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their abiotic environment interacting as a functional unit, where trees are a key component of the system. Humans, with their cultural, economic and environmental needs are an integral part of many forest ecosystems.