The criminogenic environment
By Lawi Auwal Yusuf
The nexus between our social environment and human behaviour is relevant in explaining Nigeria’s formidable crime rates. First, it is essential to understand the significance of socialisation in behaviour development.
Human interactions on both micro and macro levels provide a flawless context for learning behaviour from others. This learning occurs through these interactions that directly shape the socialisation process through observation of one’s environment, imitation, role modelling and expectation development.
So, human behaviour reflects what is learned in daily interactions with others. This socialisation process is influenced by individuals’ intimate groups and role models who similarly clout those close to them and serve as others’ source of learning.
Thus, deviation from society’s consensual values is not considered an innate human character predetermined by biological, psychological and or other natural factors, as argued by most social learning theories. Instead, it is a product of socialisation that determines the development of human behaviour through our perpetual interactions.
Given the foregoing, criminousness is like all other human behaviour spawned by social interaction. To wit, criminalness isn’t spontaneous. Untainted persons acquire their “knowledge” from external sources as they observe the tainted ones carrying out criminal behaviours. They learn and, subsequently, effectuate them.
Parents keep an eye on those your wards reach out to and teach them to avoid the toxic ones. Perhaps more importantly, don’t let those you are cynical of be their buddies. Be their pal yourself.
Lawi Auwal Yusuf wrote from Kano and is contactable via laymaikanawa@gmail.com.