Social Process Theory: Social Control Theory And Social Behavior

This theory suggests that the motivation behind crime for a control theorist does not center on pressure resulting from negative affective states but rather the absence of important relationships (Hirschi 1969). With the absence of that relationship one is more prone to be involved in crime (Hirschi 1969). The absence of an important relationship in this case would apply to Aaron Hernandez and his father. Prior to his father’s death Aaron Hernandez never used nor abused any form of drugs. Aaron’s father was his world and kept him headed on the right path.

Two of the most important concepts are the Strain theory by Robert K. Merton and General Strain theory by Robert Agnew. Strain theory describes that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goes such as the American dream. Though they lack the means to have the American dream, which leads to strain, but might lead to the individuals to commit crimes. On the other hand, Robert Agnew’s General theory describes as seeing crime as a coping mechanism to help people deal with socioemotional problems that are generated by negative social relations. Each member of society has similar goals and aspirations.

Social structure theorist believes that the solutions to why criminals commit crime is the neighborhoods they grew up in (Criminology and Justice). All the theories that fall under the social structure theory helps theorist determine why individuals join gangs as well. Significant studies by theorist was researched that the subcultural values affect a person decision (Criminology and Justice). Theorist believe that once a person is bought up in such a deviant environment they feel they have no other way

Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated

In June of 2013 Aaron Hernandez, formerly of the New England Patriots, was taken into custody after he had been charged with the murder of his friend Odin Lloyd. This case has been front-page news for nearly two years now and it has finally come to a conclusion. On Wednesday, April 15th, 2015, Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Three criminological theories that could explain why Hernandez committed this crime are the Rational Choice, Containment, and Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory. The first theory that could provide an explanation behind why Aaron Hernandez committed this murder is the Rational Choice Theory.

The Socio-behaviorist theory (behaviorism) Socio-behaviorists often study how children 's experiences model their behaviors (Nolan & Raban, 2015). Behaviorism believes that what matters is not the development itself, but the external factors that shape children 's behaviors (Nolan & Raban, 2015). This theory demonstrates that teachers and mentors dominate and instruct child-related activities, and they decide what children should learn and how to learn (Nolan & Raban, 2015). Reinforcement, which is an essential factor that helps children to learn particular behaviors, generally refers to rewards and punishments (Nolan & Raban, 2015). Children are more likely to repeat actions that result in receiving praise; in contrast, they may ignore or abandon behaviors that make them get punishment.

Modelling theory also called the social learning theory can be defined as “behaviour which is learned in much the same way and such learning includes the acquisition of norms, values, and patterns of behaviour conceive to crime,

Social learning theory and social bonding theory are two theories that may be compared and contrasted because they both overlap and differ. Although these theories have their similarities and differences, one theory may prove to be more convincing in terms of applying the theory to the understanding of crime and delinquency. Social learning theory refers to Akers’ theory of crime and deviance. Akers attempted to specify the mechanism and processes through which criminal learning takes place by explaining crime and deviance; he did this in such a way that the likelihood of conforming or deviant behavior based on the influence of an individual’s history of learning was accounted for. This theory was based off Sutherland’s differential association theory, which had nine propositions outlining the process by which individuals acquire attitudes favorable to criminal or delinquent behavior with the basic idea that people tend to associate with others in which they come into contact.

For social control theory, the underlying view of human nature includes the conception of free will, thereby giving offenders the capacity of choice, and responsibility for their behavior. As such, social control theory is aligned more with the classical school of criminology than with positivist or determinist

Chapter five talks about life course theory, latent trait theory and trajectory theory. These theories are the development of crime and delinquency. Life Course theory suggest that delinquent behavior is influenced by individual characteristics. Another influence is social experiences, and they can provoke antisocial behaviors in the future. Family, jobs, and peers can affect their behavior in a positive or negative way.

There are many different phenomenons that could be explained by sociological theories. Sociology studies these occurrences to explain why people do the things they do. Crimes rates can be defined by symbolic interactionism, functionalist theory and conflict theory. People are born into the wrong neighborhood and grow up stealing.

Kempf-Leonard, K., & Morris, N. A. (2012, July 24). Social Control Theory. Retrieved March 21, 2018, from Oxford Bibliographies: http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0091.xml Siegel, L. J. (2011). Criminology: The Core.

The Social Learning Theory (SLT) maintains that children develop patterns of violent or delinquent behavior through imitation. For instance, if a child is being beaten at home, then the child will revert to doing so to other children at school. The Social Control Theory (SCT) says that individuals have a natural tendency towards crime and violence

As Sanchez began to mature he realized the truth about gangs which persuaded him to leave it. Four theories are used

Social Learning Theory states that behavior is learned due to the communication and socialization of of learned patterns of criminal behavior (Schmalleger, 2012, p. 177). Behavior is learned through the three processes of: Individuals learn beliefs/definitions of crime as justified or desired in certain situations, Individuals engage in crime because they are differentially reinforced for criminal behavior, Individuals engage in crime because they imitate the criminal behavior of others, especially valued others whose own criminal behavior is reinforced. Social Learning Theory consists of 4 concepts; Differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, and imitation. Differential association is from Edwin Sutherland and includes