Criminology Final Paper: Analyzing Youth Programs Using Akers' Theory

This report examines the application of Akers' Social Learning Theory to the Youth Connection's substance abuse prevention program. The assignment analyzes how the program utilizes the principles of differential reinforcement, imitation, and external factors to influence the behavior of young individuals and prevent criminal activities. The report highlights the program's strategies in creating positive environments, providing role models, and promoting behavioral changes to combat substance abuse. The analysis focuses on how the program aligns with Akers' theory to modify behaviors and prevent reoffending, emphasizing the importance of positive influences and observational learning. It also discusses the significance of connecting with people who can motivate and inspire the members to work towards a better life, and the impact of the program on the youth who are at risk of substance abuse. The report concludes that Akers' theory provides a clear framework for understanding the program's effectiveness in preventing crime.

university
Differential Reinforcement
Theories and their Adaptation
Student Credentials
4/2/2020

Criminology 1
Botvin life skills training program
I have chosen the Youth Connection as the organization that I wish to emphasise over
here. It is a non- profit organization situated in Southeast Michigan. The roots of the
organization lay deep in the time and the initial idea was to focus on the safety of the youth
after certain instances in the country (Youth Connection, 2020). At Youth Connection, they
have a lot of programmes that assist with the goal of the organization amongst them is the
program, ‘The Youth Connection Substance Abuse Prevention Program’ that solely works for
spreading awareness in the youth regarding their health and how important it is to understand
the consequences of critical substance abuse (Youth Connection, 2020). The major focus in
this assignment shall be on this particular program only.
The theory that is being applied here is the Akers Social Learning Theory so that it is
easy for readers to understand how Youth connection spreads awareness related to substance
abuse in order to prevent crimes from happening or even in certain extreme cases reoffending
as well. The sole purpose of Akers Social Learning Theory is to understand the mechanisms
through which one can identify the causes behind a criminal act. The mechanism specifically
discussed by Burges and Akers in their theory states that, the external factors play a very
important role in influencing a person or individual’s behaviour related to a certain activities
especially through differential reinforcement, this is known as the differential stimuli as in
when external factors influence individuals. Channelizing these people’s efforts or energy
towards the better outlook through rewards or punishments can help, as well as other methods
can be adapted to affect people in such a manner that can result in behaviour modification so
as to prevent criminal activities in future.
In the above mentioned program, most of the aspects related to Akers Social learning
theory can be connected without much difficulty as the program is so developed with an

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intent to not treat the people who are a part of this program as criminals but to inculcate good
habits in such a manner that the behavioural changes take place and there is no internal or
even external intent of the members to commit substance abuse in this case. The SSSL model
as specified by the Akers is one another example that implicates similar results as in indirect
manner affecting an individual in such a manner that a direct effect is there on the individual
(Akers, 2009). Imitation is one another aspect that plays a very important role in influencing
individual, specially the youth.
The program since focuses on the youth being directed towards a better life, are given
ideal situations or external environment where the members learn about the positivity in life
and meet such people who are considered quite influential as in, in a positive manner so that
the members can learn from them and act accordingly as well as it is a human nature to
imitate something that affects individuals. This is why such powerful and well thought
external factors are presented to make the behaviour of the members mould in a certain way
that will assist them further in future. The two main aspects that Akers talks about is imitation
and differential reinforcement. For imitation, the program promotes meeting new people who
can affect or influence members in such a way that they get all the positivity out of the same
and for the differential reinforcement, activities are being carried out by the organization so
that it affects the behavioural patterns of the members. Associating with people who are in no
manner associated with the substance abuse issues or motivating the members to work in a
particular direction is the sole purpose of this program, which is the crux of the theory that is
being discussed, as in relating or associating with people who can help individuals motivate,
now that can be done through, videos, presentations or even classes. Mode here is not a
necessary thing, but the end result is. Observation is the key here. Observing people who are
doing well in their lives and how they changed their lives from being addicted to drugs to
leading a substance abuse free life and being stable and progressing in their lives is what is

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taught in the program, so that individuals or members who are a part of such program observe
and learn on their own. Akers stated that people learn through the observation more than
being taught about it and criminal activities can be avoided if they are surrounding people
who inspire them to work hard, because by observing those, the members in the program can
learn better.
In conclusion, this can be clearly stated that the theory aptly applies on the program as
according to it; it makes behavioural changes and does not force the whole thing or idea on
the members which is why it has been helping several people get out of the similar situations
and do well for themselves. In the modern times ,when the youth is directing or channelizing
its energy on different types of criminal activities, such as substance abuse which is quite
common in the country, this program has been assisting such lost souls into being a better
human and providing fine future opportunities as well. The theory provides a direction to the
whole program and fits it perfectly.

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Bibliography
Akers, R. (2009). Social Learning and Social Structure. Routledge.
Youth Connection. (2020). Our History. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from Youth Connection:
http://www.theyouthconnection.org/about-us/our-history/
Youth Connection. (2020). The Youth Connection Substance Abuse Prevention Program.
Retrieved April 1, 2020, from Youth Connection:
http://www.theyouthconnection.org/our-programs/substance-abuse-prevention-
program/