Social Learning Theory: Application to School Shootings and Violence

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses school shootings in America, focusing on the case of Luke Woodham and his violent acts in October of 1998. The paper explains that this case is used as an example of criminal acts that are conducted by children and the case is examined through social learning theory. The paper explores the foundations of social learning theory and arguments against this theory in relation to school shootings are also discussed. Furthermore, the paper examines how social learning theory can be used as a predictor of school violence and then discusses the prevention techniques that have been offered and that must be implemented in order to address the issue. In conclusion, the paper shows that for the criminal justice system and society as whole it is evident that the only answer to school shootings and violence is to begin to work together in a manner that allows for preventative measures to be taken and for children to once again have faith that the adults who are supposed to protect them will and that the world that is supposed to be supportive of them will function to accomplish that mission.

Outline:
Abstract
Etiology
Prediction and Prevention
Recommended Criminal Justice Response
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In the case of Woodham and the murders that occurred in Mississippi, it is evident that the conditions described through social learning theory existed and that these conditions contributed to the actions taken by the juvenile. For example, early in his life Woodham became engrossed in the philosophy used by Hitler. It was not difficult for Woodham to witness the results of Hitler's philosophies, as those results are consistently present in the social order as a matter of social history. Woodham was capable of retaining these events because they were constantly reinforced through exposure to the ideas discussed in relation to Hitler through the people that he knew and the studies that he personally conducted."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen,L., and Santrock, J. (1993). The contexts of behavior psychology. Madison: Brown & Benchmark Press.
• Bandura, A. (1976). Analysis of delinquency and aggression. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Bandura, A. (1975). Social learning and personality development: Mahwah: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
• Bandura, A. (1962). Social learning through imitation. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press
• Bartollas, C. (1990). Juvenile Delinquency. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.

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• Research Paper # 131510 : "Social Learning Theory and School Shootings"
• Analytical Essay # 27177 : "Social Learning Theory"

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