Revisiting Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory to Better Understand and Assist Victims of Intimate Personal Violence

• NCJ Number: 219508
• Journal: Women & Criminal Justice Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 99-124
• Author(s): James F. Anderson; Kimberly Kras
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using Albert Bandura’s social learning theory, this paper explains interpersonal and intergenerational violence in order to better understand and assist victims of intimate personal violence.

Abstract

In summation, it is argued that effective treatment and prevention should include both criminal justice and public health strategies. Intimate personal violence is a major public health problem that affects men, women, and children. It also spills over into the criminal justice system. Social service agencies and the public health system get involved when the victims of abuse need assistance or treatment for injuries sustained as a result of violence. Preventions should be threefold. It should target resocializing children who are exposed to violence, punishing offenders, and better assisting the women who face both physical and psychological victimizations. Strategies should be employed using both the criminal justice and public health systems or uniting a host of people and agencies to work together toward its prevention. Domestic violence or intimate personal violence, a matter once considered private, has gained increased attention as a public health crisis. In their efforts to better understand and prevent this behavior, social science researchers and epidemiologists have discovered the link between early exposure to violence and spousal abuse. The intent of this paper is to explain violence and aggression toward intimate partners through learning models. Part 1 of this paper revisits Albert Bandura’s social learning theory to explain the process by which individuals learn aggressive behaviors, as well as how the theory explains intimate partner violence. Part II discusses the cycle of spousal abuse. Part III offers viable policy recommendations to prevent intimate personal violence. In the final analysis, the paper presents measures that can be taken to counteract the effects of negative social learning and some criminal justice and public health approaches to prevent intimate personal violence. References