Differential Reinforcement Of Other Behavior example essay topic

Differential Reinforcement is defined to occur when behavior is reinforced by being either rewarded or punished while interacting with others (Siegel, 2003). With this said, the theory was developed as a way of labeling both positive, as well as negative aspects of individual action. This idea of reinforcement is a branch of the infamous Differential Association theory presented by Edwin H. Sutherland in 1939. Another commonly used term for this theory of reinforcement is called differential conditioning (Siegel, 2003).

As mentioned, the types of reinforcement are either positive or negative, and operate on the results of specific crimes or random acts. Rewarding behaviors plainly urges such action to be repeated, while punishment often deters those offenders from repeating their same mistakes. Parenting practices, social groups, schools, television, and the community are just a few of the examples that are linked to this theory. According to Ronald Akers (1966), each behavior a person commits is a learned behavior, meaning some type of outside force paved the way to this various knowledge. This theory goes hand in hand with the ideology that he argued in his studies, but focuses on the after effects (or results), rather than prevention or control. This theory does not help support the effectiveness of deterrence, but it does give us a little insight on why people decide to engage in criminal activity.

Perhaps the most influential group in shaping someone's behavior is their peer group. Take for example, gang activity. Street gangs, though usually found in highly urbanized areas, still exist and even thrive throughout most of the United States. It is the safety, security, and power that effects these members with faulty, risky and distant thinking, which usually ends up in some type of negative reinforcement. Guilt is often by association, as well as socialization. Purely, this relationship dominates the theory of crime as a learned behavior.

No one is born with the general knowledge of how to break the law or to simply be criminal by nature, but through life experiences and perceptions of the events that surround them, the criminal activity is learned. Use the professional art of safe (or vault) cracking, for example. To perform such a trick, one must be taught how to do it. Such information is never provided at birth, or through genetic inheritance.

Once learned, thieves must choose, or differentiate whether or not to put that skill into action. From there, the decision to abide by conventional norms or to break them is made. As the above example primarily focuses on street gangs, we see a link between the theory of DR (DR = differential reinforcement) and business crime as well. Again, this theory is all around us and all the time. Theft, both petty and major, is a major problem businesses must face on a daily basis because of some troubled employees. "Hooking" your friends up with merchandise, taking supplies from work to your home, or stealing time from an occupation are also just a couple commonly overlooked business crimes.

While moderate in the eyes of severity, a crime is just that - a crime. But those who engage in such activity almost always think about the possible outcomes, dare they get caught. These crimes, though often undetected, can potentially reap terrible disaster in regards to employment. Each of the above leaves the offender subject to not only termination, but prosecution and these are no where near the more serious employee offenses. Yet to most business owners and employers, such minor issues are hardly a joke and many times the corporate heads will send minor offenses to the courts.

As expected, the correlation between positive and negative reinforcement on the job is crucial. Even far more serious offenses can occur in a work environment, dealing with identity theft, homicide, and arson. Corporate violence sees shades of DR practices when those crimes are examined by criminologists. According to criminological study, "workplace violence has become a well-known yet often misunderstood social problem in both the United States and around the world" (Kennedy, 2002).

Since this concept is held in such high regards, most criminologists use it to label and detect those offenders who later become career criminals. Interestingly, "in the U.S., data from the NCV S for 1992-1996 indicates that an annual average of 2,010,800 citizens experienced violent victimization's while they were working or on duty" (Kennedy, 2002). Kennedy then goes on to state that "workplace violence and homicide have been identified as the fastest growing forms of violence in our country, doubling in the past 10 years" (Call 1999). Differential reinforcement weighs heavily on that statistic; in that, if people would choose not to commit acts of crime on the job, then the problem wouldn't be as major as it has become.

It is the evident lack of fear of employees and the potential gain that increases the CV rate. This kind of crime is damaging in more ways than homicide and the previously mentioned (i.e. stealing time). It is proven that the economy as a whole can and will be affected by the continued efforts of corporate criminals. Economics are a backbone to every society making this field one of the greatest topics of concern. Property destruction is a huge problem in the corporate violence spectrum.

Again, this is crucial to the economic value of crime and the choices to participate in it. Some workers feel arson is a better means of obtaining wealth through fraud and revenge, rather than conventional work. This motive is not usually common, but there have been numerous reports of such activity happening to employers. The danger in white collar crime remains present but the efforts in unveiling the threat before it comes to pass is always tough, especially for those working in law enforcement. It is difficult to moderate some of the labeled factors that identify corporate violence.

Some of these labels may include disputes between coworkers, problems among workers and customers and also the heavy influence released by the media. The media is an extremely powerful tool that can create, as well as destroy our everyday social norms which may lead to further criminal activity amongst businesses. One last problem that aids the rates of corporate violence is the high levels of assault. The various forms of assault include both physical and mental attacks on coworkers, as well as verbal abuse. Hostile words produce the same types of negative feeling which may eventually lead to criminal activity. To Kennedy, "because the circumstances and targets of workplace violence vary widely, so, too will the motivations of various perpetrators.

Due to the wide range of workplace violence incident types, no single etiological theory will generalize broadly enough to be universally applicable" (2002). With this said, it is safe to assume that it may be impossible to place the blame of CV rates solely on the shoulders of the differential reinforcement theory, yet regardless the theory still remains a key factor in helping to explain why as opposed to how. The film, Ocean's Eleven (2001) helps to better illustrate an example of a more serious offense in regards to DR and business crime. This blockbuster title featured an incredible roster of talented actors that made this movie such a hit. Those like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Bernie Mac are just some of the big names that had a role in this production. Each person who contributed to this project acted extremely well with the roles they were asked to portray.

The plot goes like this - "Freshly released from jail Danny Ocean begins to recruit key players to put together a job as daring as it is dangerous - the safe that holds the money for 3 casinos belonging to Terry Benedict. As well as splitting the $150 million between the gang, Danny also plans to steal back his ex-wife Tess who is currently dating Benedict" (Moo, 2001). Not your ordinary crime, but still, attempts like this are made. Examining the main character brings forth interesting questions. Why would one participate in all these things at one time? The woman, the money, the group, and of course - not getting caught.

He had just been released from prison, and without hesitation, he jumped right back into the saddle again. Ocean had to differentiate between the possible rewards of success versus the options of extreme punishment. The loss of his "love, another prison sentence, and betrayal were never far from reach, no matter how delicate the crime was treated. A huge risk, but for gargantuan gain, if everything ran smooth. Naturally there were a few minor set backs and disputes, but in the end, the project would ultimately succeed.

Like in most cases, "reinforcement was provided only when certain behaviors were performed and not provided at other times when those behaviors were not performed" (Differential Reinforcement, Lecture page 2, 2001). Hollywood's glamour and the outcome of the film would pave the way to a successful raid and profit by Ocean and the "mini-gang". It is the threat of apprehension and the lengths they took to ensure that did not happen is what is surprising. These methods definitely lay claim to the importance of differential reinforcement theory.

Those who participate in corporate crimes such as these have an amazing lack of clear direction to a legitimate means of obtaining wealth. The amount of money each member of the group was promised to earn outweighed the thoughts and fears of going to jail, or worse (say death, for example, if the casino owner and his influence got involved). Once those criminals become blind or negligent to the repercussions that may or may not follow their actions, the chances of repeat offenses become greater and often times more dangerous. Another extremely vital point to this theory is the link DR has with youth activity.

Role models, peer groups and schools often dictate what is and is not cool to the youngsters across America. Again, the media also has heavy influences on adolescents as it appeals to various crowds with various interests. The dominance of the television, radio, and entertainment industry helps shape a child's identity at a very early age. The content intake youths receive from all the media hype is often overbearing and causes strain, confusion and conformity. It is how these children will act after all these outside forces fight to mold this individual. With this said, one could only imagine the possibilities children can and will get into over the span of a lifetime.

Vandalism is a huge problem nationwide. Moreover, it's an international problem, but most crimes discussed in this essay could be considered the same. Vandalism, without question, is highly dependent on the differential association and reinforcement theories. Most youth hunger for an identity and freedom.

Sadly, gangs also come into play to satisfy such a hunger. But even so, the younger the child, the worse off he or she could potentially be as a result of various influences. Some of which include role modeling, imitation and acceptance among peer groups. That is what makes parenting practices, the family, and social buffers so important. The two elements are the cornerstone to shaping the future of an individual. Kids rely so much on their parents that eventually many of them become their parents once they grow up and begin to settle.

Many times throughout your life you may be compared to your parents; however, the question of whether this is good or negative comes into account. Parents need to reward their children for positive behavior and achievements, but even over-rewarding can be too damaging. Never rewarding or an intense series of punishments can also deter children away from proper behavior. Highlighting just a few concepts and understanding them may help parents push their offspring into better decision making and in turn, better behaviors. In short, there are four different branches of DR that can be applied to parenting. These include DR of Other Behavior, DR of incompatible behavior, DR of alternative behavior, and Differential Reinforcement of low rates of responding.

"Differential reinforcement of other behavior is a parenting tool that specifies which behavior, in a child, will not be reinforced. Consequently, all other behaviors are then open for reinforcement to decrease the likelihood of the one targeted behavior" (Huxley, 2005). The next, "Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior is a parenting tool that reinforces behavior that is not compatible with the targeted, undesirable behavior" (2005). Basically, "the more physically incompatible a behavior is to the targeted behavior, the better choice it is for reinforcement" (2005). Third, "Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior is a parenting tool that reinforces more socially acceptable behaviors than the targeted, undesirable behavior" (2005). Using this method is helpful in that it helps children associate between various forms of behaviors and reactions.

It is also a strong building block in sharpening the perceptions youth develop throughout their life experiences. Lastly, "Differential reinforcement of low rates of responding is a parenting tool for children who display high rates of undesirable behavior" (2005). This method can be described as having to be used when the previous three do not help. Concerning chronic youth offenders, this method is "the most realistic way of decreasing these (negative) behaviors to reinforce lower rates of responding in an undesirable manner versus an alternative or no rate of response. This tool takes a more gradual approach to changing the behavior until it is at a rate that is more manageable for the parent" (Huxley, 2005). With these practices many parents can help to become better parents.

The above branches can be used in almost any situation, to any given child. It all starts with the home and family and it is essential that parents help promote strong reinforcement. Studies have proven time and time again that the most "healthy" households produce children that have positive attitudes and usually remain away from the spotlight in regards to criminal activity. Gang activity is a very serious problem in most urban and now even rural areas of the country. Street gangs participate in minor antisocial behaviors like vandalism to heavy offenses such as, murder and drug trafficking.

It is easy to correlate a relationship between DR theories and street gangs. After all, "according to Akers (1985), people are first indoctrinated into deviant behavior by differential association with deviant peers" (Learning Theories of Crime, 2005). Role modeling and imitation are commonly used in gang politics and practices. Most gangs have a structure system divided by rank or elite status and these titles alone can carry heavy responsibility and influence. It is tough to apply the above parenting practices effectively when it comes to gangs.

Often times the gang is or becomes the main family for troubled and misguided youth. When this occurs disaster is almost inevitable, and the lack of positive social reinforcements to sway the opinion of these kids goes ignored or unspoken. With gangs, "structural conditions affect a person's differential reinforcements" (Learning Theories of Crime, 2005). The secret to control over street gangs is impossible to find as the potential of repeat offenses sponsored by these members will always be out there. However, reducing that potential should be a main focus, and continues to give researchers work. Law enforcement agencies have made huge steps implementing programs that deal with these delinquent gangs and will continue to develop new plans, programs and strategies to govern the influences these gangs have on crime and society.

Between gangs, youth and WWC / CV (white collar crime / corporate violence), criminologists have their hands full with analyzing the behavior of individuals. When punishments outweigh the benefit of criminal activity, most crimes are never actually committed. But if the threat of punishment is too weak, or ineffective then proper action is usually avoided and a crime gets committed. Criminologists search for a way to make connections by associating these theories with new cases reported each year. One problem is the discretion of police and the lack of crimes actually reported to police.

Regardless, it is very easy to see the truth behind these concepts. For example, thieves that are safecrackers must have been taught to be able to do that trade. However, with the available data and records criminologists do have, there is tons of drawn out information supporting this theory of DR. Without doubt, differential reinforcement is a two-way street with human activity. One will always affect the other and it is up to the individual to reach for the positive, instead of the negative.