Albert Bandura can explain the root causes of Marys behaviors via social learning theory.

Albert Bandura can explain the root causes of Marys behaviors via social learning theory. People learn to be involved in crime through their relationship with others. Consequently, they get psychological reinforcement for crime, and understand the beliefs that favor crime as well as gaining exposure to criminal models (Powell, Symbaluk, & Honey, 2009, p. 55). Juvenile learns to be involved in crime and delinquent behaviors in a similar way they learn to be engaged in a compliant behavior via exposure and association with good people (Ashford, LeCroy, & Lortie, 2010, p. 13). Mary had criminal model that she associated herself. Since her childhood, mary lived with unsupportive parents. Her natural father was violent to the family and he was a criminal. Furthermore, since her natural father was a drug addict she came to understand drugs as something that is acceptable and justifiable in her life. His fathers behavior forced her to acquire an aggressive character that she grew up with. Her wayward behavior deteriorated because of physical and sexual abuses she received from her stepfather since her tender age. Her mother was an drug addict and she was not concerned of nurturing the children in the right manner. Marys mother also refused to take appropriate actions after knowing that her stepfather was sexually abusing her. Instead, she choose to keep her relationship at the expense of her daughters psychological well-being. These domestic incidences forced mary to learn hatred, rebellious and criminal behaviors towards her parents.

nAccording to social learning theory, individuals especially children and juveniles learn to participate in crime through three ways. These include differential modeling, beliefs and reinforcement. Differential reinforcement of crime means that a person can teach others on how to participate in the crime by reinforcing certain behaviors (Powell, Symbaluk, & Honey, 2009, p. 57). For instance, Mary After joining school, she associated with delinquent friends in school where she learned juvenile criminal behaviors (Shaffer, 2009, p. 12). Additionally, she developed a rebellious behavior to her teachers in school. In addition, due to her friends influence she started to skip class and engage in other activities against her teachers will. Furthermore, she learned from her friends in school how to experiment illegal drugs, engage in casual sex performing petty thefts and staying out of home for long period.