Sources of Human Behavior

Nature vs. nuture. What is the source of human behavior? Why is it that when babies become children and children become teenagers, their behaviors can differ so greatly from one another? The theories regarding the source of teenager behavior and the scope of their activities, however acceptable or deviant they may be, have been central to the disciplines of juvenile psychology, sociology, and criminology for decades. When babies are born and deprived from love and contact from loving caregivers in early childhood, their ability to conduct themselves according to social norms later in life as teenagers is severely impacted to the level that they become more likely to engage in deviant or criminal activities. Several modern theories attempt to explain such patterns of behavior, particularly social control theory, such as Travis Hirschi's notions of social bonding, and social learning theory as developed primarily by Albert Bandura. Before discussing which theory is more likely to support such a scenario, it is necessary to discuss each theory and its key elements in detail.

Control theories, in general, are a classification of theories that claim to ask not why do people commit crimes, but rather why they do not commit crimes (See). Control theorists want to know why people conform to norms. Clearly controlling forces are present in the lives of some people but not of others. Temptation is before e

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s. While examining the bond with school, Hirschi found that a child's inability to do well in school is also linked with delinquency, through a series of chain events. He argued that academic failure leads to poor school performance, which leads to a dislike of school, which leads to rejection of teachers and authority, which results in acts of delinquency. He argued that one's attachment to school depends on how one appreciates the institution and how fellow peers and teachers receive him or her (DeMelo). Also important were attachments to religious leaders, coaches and other members of the community (Welch). In addition, Hirschi found that a child's attachment to parents and school overshadowed the bond formed with their peers (DeMelo). The second bond is that of commitment to the social activities that tie an individual to the moral and ethical code of society and involves time, energy, and effort. Hirschi's theory asserts that people who build an investment in life, property, and reputation are less likely to engage in criminal acts or deviant behavior that will jeopardize their social position (DeMelo). The third bond is involvement. This addresses an interest in activities that stress the conventional interests of soci
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Approximate Word count = 2209
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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