Abstract
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."

Tags:criminal, juvenile, justice, system, school, violence, teen, shooting

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses school shootings in the U.S., focusing on the case of Luke Woodham at his violent acts in October of 1998. The writer 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 foundations of social learning theory are therefore explored 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 the prevention techniques that have been offered and that must be implemented in order to address the issue. Finally, the response of the criminal justice system to school shootings is explored and conclusions are drawn based on the evidence. The writer concludes that the paper is significant because it examines a serious social issue that affects all members of the social order.

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

From the Paper
"These reinforcements may occur through media, social group beliefs or through philosophies shared by others within the home. Reinforcements suggest that acts of aggression are acceptable, which leads to support for the motivation in committing criminal activity.
"Although it may be suggested by some within the social order that social learning theory can be used as a tool to blame television, movies or video games on the violent acts that are committed by youth, those applying the theory fail to see the complete cycle of events that lead to school shootings. Furthermore, it must be understood that this cycle of events that are discussed in social learning theory occur over an extended period of time, building to the moment of action. Therefore, social learning theory has the ability of not only identifying children that have been negatively impacted by their environment, but also using the information known regarding what affects children negatively to change their lives before violence occurs."

Tags:Luke, Woodham, gun, kill, assault, aggression

Abstract
Social learning theory states that people learn a behavior by imitating others and receiving rewards for this emulation. The paper describes the ways in which this theory is put into play in the way parents raise their children. The writer explains how social learning theory is used to understand the differences in levels and types of aggressive behavior, as well as the influences of race, gender and family structure.

From the Paper
"Bandura, a major proponent of social learning theory, states that the personality is learned within a social context, with the reciprocal interaction between the environment, the behavior, and the person (reciprocal determinism). The reciprocal determinism paradigm includes self-regulatory behavior, self-observation, judgmental processes, and self-response. Bandura's theory proposes that the personality is learned through the process of observation and imitation, symbols are used to achieve this phenomenon, and people are the self-regulators in the complex interaction with the environment (Corsini, 1977, p. 422; Feist, 1985, pp. 266-267, 270-284)."

Tags:parenting, imitation, reward, emulation, environment, social

Abstract
This paper dicusses the effects of media violence on children. The paper explains that with children, the perception of the model to which they are exposed to, leads to the imitation and learning of that social model. In particular, the paper looks at how one of the important behavioral theories that actually explain this phenomena, is the social learning theory of media violence presented by Albert Bandura.

From the Paper
" Bandura's formulation of the theory of social learning in media violence has also served many other researchers like Huesmann, who advanced Bandura's formulation by holding that young television viewers develop a mode of understanding violence as they watch violent action on the screen. According to Huesmann, in the "script theory" of the effects of television violence, the viewers develop a script "that guides their expectations in relevant situations-in this case, expectations about what produces aggression as well as expectations about the likely consequences of this behavior-and thus provides a strategy for dealing with certain problems" (as cited in Berkowitz, 1993 p. 230). "

Tags:television, aggression

Abstract
The paper provides an overview of the social learning theory and the major theorists that have influenced the development and acceptance of this perspective. The paper includes a literature review and a discussion of the various critiques of this theory. The paper reaches the conclusion that social learning theory has been instrumental in creating a more productive working and learning environment, however, the debate about the pros and cons of this theory continue and further research needs to be undertaken to explore how these theories and methods affect the classroom and teaching situation.

Outline:
Introduction
Overview of Theory and its Components
Literature Overview and Synthesis
Critiques of Social Learning Theory
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In essence social learning theory is a theoretical stance that is taken by a broad range of professionals and disciplines, which includes education, sociology and psychology. It has a number of core concepts that are generally adhered to. These can be summarized as follows. The first is that the most important determining factors in all human behavior are learned. In this regard social learning theorists reply to the argument that the genetic and biological factors are important in learning by stating that they are not the main determining factors in the learning process. As Wiener (1980) states, social learning theory posits the view that, "Genetic and biological factors merely set limits on possible learning experiences" (Weiner, 1980, p. 229).
"A second crucial tenet of social learning theory is that behavior is situationally specific. This means in effect that, "...people behave as they do in response to the demands and characteristics of the particular situation that they are in at the moment" (Weiner, 1980, p. 229). Furthermore, this stance also assumes that the most important influences on behavior and on learning are to be found in the world or environment external to the individual. This is of course a controversial issue and the debate about external as opposed to internal or psychological influences and motivations in learning will be an aspect that will be referred to in the following sections. Another central criterion of this theoretical stance is that a "...theory of motivation should use few constructs, make a minimum number of inferences, and be guided by experimental data" (Weiner, 1980, p. 229)."

Tags:classroom, education, teaching, Bandura

Abstract
This paper discusses how Albert Bandura's social learning theory represents one of the most important additions to the social sciences and an understanding of human behavior. Built on the foundation of early behaviorists, Bandura's theory discards the one size fits all attitude to human motivation that characterized its early roots. The paper discusses Bandura's theories and the importance of them to modern social sciences. It supports the thesis that social learning theory is important in the field of social work today and the concept that a social worker must keep the tenets of social learning theory at the forefront of client interactions in order to be effective.

Outline:
Key Tenets of Social Learning Theory
Albert Bandura, A Biography
Social Learning and Social Work

From the Paper
"Social learning theory stemmed from the works of early behaviorists such as Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner ("Social Learning Theory", 2008). Albert Bandura based his work on theories by Julian Rotter, which took into account the cognitive factors of human learning. These factors included the expectations that a person would have about an outcome and the importance that they placed on these outcomes ("Social Learning Theory", 2008). Bandura expanded on these theories to include the reciprocal nature of our thoughts and actions on the environment, and on the environment on our thoughts and actions ("Social Learning Theory", 2008). This serves as the basic tenet of Bandura's Social Learning Theory. "

Tags:human, cognitive, motivation

Abstract
This paper examines two assumptions connected to social learning theory, which are that people will be impacted by their environment and people will learn through factors as simple as observation. The paper further considers an article by Renzetti and Curran which indicates that biology and social environment work in conjunction with one another to influence how people learn in either gender. Additionally, Renzetti and Curran's work is shown to also stipulate that although there is the belief that biological factors play a significant role in how genders relate to the world, they have no impact on how people learn.

From the Paper
"Two assumptions connected to social learning theory are that people will be impacted by their environment and people will learn through factors as simple as observation. Renzetti and Curran indicate that biology and social environment work in conjunction with one another to influence how people learn in either gender. Renzetti and Curran further stipulate that..."

Tags:gender, construction, roles

Abstract
The paper discusses the social learning theory and differential association theory, with empirical evidence for both. The paper offers views of various theorists, including Bandura and Braithwaite. The paper explores the connection to criminal justice and restorative justice.

From the Paper
"The following essay presents a description of social learning theory and differential association theory, along with empirical evidence for both. The role of structural variables to include social disorganization and anomie influences are discussed. Social Learning Theory: Social learning theory provides a focus on learning that occurs within a social context. Albert Bandura is the foremost promoter of this theory."

Tags:braithwaite, and, social, learning, theory

Abstract
This paper analyzes the text, "Code of the Street: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City" by Elijah Anderson. The book is analyzed based on how it reflects four major tenets of strain theory, social learning theory, control theory, and labeling theory.

From the Paper
"The first of these social theories that is demonstrated within Anderson's text is that of Strain Theory. In strain theory, it is argued that social structures that are constructed and adopted by society can cause the society's citizens to commit crime. First of all, Anderson does not demean or belittle the actions that many "criminals" in the inner-city perform during their daily lives. He argues that in this sector of society, there is a "code" and a decency that its citizens live by, not arguing that this is morally right, but showing that it is a code and manner of life, nonetheless. These are not merely subhumans going about criminal lives; this is a living, working society that adheres to its own standards and rules."

Tags:delinquency, strain, theory, social, learning, control, labeling