Attempts to understand human behavior has led to studying social and individual behavior and their aspects. Such theories as Social Learning Theory and Rational Choice Theory assume the nature and prerequisites of personal decisions. Both these theories are used in modulating criminal behavior, however, they cannot guarantee it is a rule since human behavior can be unexpected; thus, the original assumption based on both theories can b false.
Social Learning Theory suggests that the behavior of one person can be learned by observing another person. The theory sees learning as a cognitive process as a part of the social context (Akers & Jennings, 2019). Therefore, it can be achieved only through direct instructions or observations in social situations. Moreover, the observation includes rewarding and punishing for following specific instructions or breaking the rules (Akers & Jennings, 2019). In other words, it means that most environmental, social, cultural, religious standards define one’s the cognitive process of learning and behavior throughout life.
Rational Theories are usually designated by Rational Choice Theory, which suggests that humans make the best logical choice based benefits of the situation. Based on this theory, a framework was built to modulate human behavior in a particular case (Hedström & Stern, 2017). It suggests that social behavior is a result of individual behavior, and each of those individuals made a rational decision (Hedström & Stern, 2017). Therefore, the main object for the study of the Rational Choice Theory is the influence of single decisions and actions on collective behavior.
Rational Choice Theory is widely used in Criminology to study the social behavior of criminals. Investigations largely depend on understanding the nature of every decision that led to the crime. Therefore, social and individual models of estimating human behavior are being developed to analyze and predict premises to the crime not only to solve it but also possibly prevent it (Hedström & Stern, 2017). The theory focuses on studying and explaining criminal behavior by analyzing the single decision that led to it (Hedström & Stern, 2017). For example, why do shoplifters steal items, or what is the reason behind a bank robbery?
Social Learning Theory also suggests an explanation for a certain action, like aggression. It is believed to be one of the leading indicators for a crime. As well as Rational Choice Theory, Social Learning Theory modulates criminal behavior based on one’s environmental circumstances (Akers & Jennings, 2019). It focuses on aggression as one of the main reasons for many crimes. For example, a child beaten by his parents and bullied by his contemporaries is more likely to grow up aggressive, thus more likely to commit a crime. The theory suggests that the social environment defined most criminals.
Both of these theories are usually criticized for the assumption that their surroundings define individuals. Even though it is partly correct to suggest that such contexts as environment, society, culture, religion, family, friends, etc., can influence one’s decisions, however, it is false to assume it ultimately determine one’s behavior (Hedström & Stern, 2017). If a child grew up in a family of criminals, not necessarily is going to become one. In the same way, a person from a highly educated family of scientists may become a burglar in the future.
In conclusion, even though both Social Learning Theory and Rational Choice Theory build a satisfactory model for estimating the nature of human behavior, it can fail in some instances and lead to complications. There are many exceptions to one rule; therefore, any modulation of an individual behavior should consider those irregularities. The framework based on theories could exclude the human factor from the equation so that the result could be different from actual behavior.
References
Akers, R. L., & Jennings, W. G. (2019). The Social Learning Theory of Crime and Deviance. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research Handbook on Crime and Deviance, 113–129. Web.
Hedström, P., & Stern, C. (2017). Rational Choice Theory. The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory, 1–7. Web.