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Discussion post example

The Sociological Approach to Crime: Discussion and Response

Subject
Sociology
Type
Discussion post
Citation style
APA 6
Length
4 pages

About this sample

Part 1 is a discussion post arguing that the sociological approach explains crime, and that social learning theory accounts for criminal behavior through association with others, reinforcement, and favourable attitudes toward crime. Part 2 is a response that weighs the developmental (cognitive) approach, crediting its empirical support for cognitive treatment and criticising its reductionism and neglect of emotion and social variables.

  • social learning theory
  • sociological explanations of crime
  • differential association and criminal models
  • developmental/cognitive approach
  • criticisms of reductionism

How it opens

Part 1: Post

I trust that the sociological approach helps to comprehend the reasons for crime and criminal conduct. Within the sociological approach is the social learning theory endeavors to explain socialization and its impact on the development of the self. There are many of theories that clarify how individuals become socialized, including psychoanalytic theory, functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory. Social learning theory takes a look at the individual learning process, the formation of self, and the impact of society on socializing people.

Social learning theory helps to understand the causes of criminal behavior in a major way. Individuals participate in crime due to their relationship with other people who take part in the crime. Their criminal conduct is strengthened, and they learn convictions that are favorable to crime. They have criminal models that they take up with psychologically. As a result, these people come to view crime as something that is desirable, or if nothing else justifiable in certain circumstances.

Learning criminal behavior is similar to figuring out how to participate in conforming behavior: it is done through a relationship with or exposure to others. Indeed, association with delinquent companions is the best indicator of negligent conduct other than prior delinquency.

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