Application of Social Learning Theory

pplication of Social Learning Theory

Article #1 “Applying Social Learning Theory

To Police Misconduct”

Summary of the Article

The article by Chappell & Piquero (2004) discusses in depth about the application of Aker's social learning theory to the rising and increasing phenomena of the police misconduct. The authors herein, describe and develop a strong base for the article and explain about the rise in police misconduct, its related factors and consequences. Chappell & Piquero base their discussion on the four variables of the social learning theory presented by Aker that include; differential association, reinforcement, definitions and modeling. Although, all the four variables act and apply in the same manner to all the people, yet according to the article differential association is the pivotal point where differences can exists. It discusses how the differential association, the essential variable in the social learning theory, attempts to explain police misconducts. Differential association refers to the influence of people with whom an individual spends time with and frequently associates. This is where the social learning theory by Aker strengthens its base as the various forms and types of associations of the people moulds their learning differently.

Police life entails a subculture highly different than the normal prevailing culture. Owing to the extreme long hours of duty and isolation from family and life, there exists a subculture in police. This subculture is what the police officers associate with. Prevailing habits of taking gifts and unjustified perks, harassing innocent people with excessive force and authority and corruption becomes the norm of the subculture when people learn from it. The police officers witness their peers carrying out the same activities and get reinforced from each other.

Assumptions of the study by Chappell & Piquero (2004) included the relation between the likelihood of the citizens' complaints and the involvement of the officer with deviant peer group. Basic research method was survey, using the rates of citizens' complaints against an officer and examining the officers' peer group and learning by presenting them with scenarios and questions following them.

Results of the study provide an insight into the causal factors of misconduct in police. Results have implications for the development of a model of intervening strategies to help better the system and the structure of the law enforcing agency.

Article #2 “Social Learning and Structural Factors In Adolescent Substance Use”

Summary

This article by Lee et al (2004) also considers and explains the role of social learning theory in mediating the effects of the structural factors of social learning. This article discusses two parallel concepts and constructs of the societal effects on people, especially the adolescents with regards to substance abuse.

Basing the arguments and backdrop of the study on the Aker's constructs of the social learning theory, this article discusses how the differential associations and reinforcement plays a role in the development of deviant behaviors in adolescents. The writers describe and discuss the role of age, gender, structures of the surrounding and social class in the differences of substance abuse in ...