Behavior Trait Theory: Social Learning

Defined and Related to Richard Ramirez

Elizabeth HallKaplan University

Criminology CJ102Greg MatoesianFebruary 2, 2010

Richard RamirezFirst Arraignmenthttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/terror_1.html

Behavior Theory :Human conduct is all derived from a reward and punishment standpoint through societal corroboration.

Social Learning Theory: Individuals learn aggression from watching other people being rewarded for aggressive behavior.

• Human beings and the actions they take are derived from the knowledge gained from life experience and watching others.

• Behavior is maintained by rewards received and negated when chastised or unenthusiastic responses are received.

• Aggressive actions are seen as learned reactions to situations experienced in life.• People are not born violent, but learn violent behavior through experience.

• People learn violent tendencies through watching others directly or even through the media

• Behavior Modeling- people learn violence through family interactions, environmental experiences, and mass media

(Siegel, n.d.)

Richard RamirezComposite Sketchhttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/arrest_5.html

Behavior Theory-Social Learning

Evolution of Behavioral Theory

Social Learning

Richard RamirezAnd Wife Doreenhttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/terror_1.html

• Developed by Albert Bandura- late 1970's• Based on observing and imitating the conduct , mind

set, and affecting responses of other people.• Based on the principal that if we had to learn everything

without the basis of example from others, humans would never learn anything.

(Stewart, n.d.)

Processes of Social Learning

Richard RamirezIn court displaying pentagramhttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/satan_2.html

• 4 Processes involved with social learning • Attention- gaining focus of learner by sensory function,

past corroboration, or levels of arousal• Retention- learner retrieves representative coding for

actions which provide interest to them.• Motivation- self bolstering of motivation or sensational

motivation through vicarious means.• Motor Reproduction- learner physically reproduces the

learned actions(Stewart, n.d.)

Examples of Social Learning

Richard RamirezSneering in Courthttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/justice_7.html

• Starts in early childhood• Learners more likely to adapt behavior if

person is admired by learner or activity is admired by learner

• The little girl who walks around in mother's shoes or jewelry.

• The little boy who plays with tools because father is a mechanic.

• The new employee learning their job from their new boss.

(Stewart, n.d.)

Behavior Theory in Relation to Crime and Delinquency

Jaime and Julio Burgoin- Held Richard Down while waiting for policehttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/justice_7.html

• Children learn aggressive behavior from parents, role models, and the media.

• Parents who abuse their spouses teach their children to be abusers

• Children who grow up with parents who are alcoholics learn that drinking is okay

• Children with criminal parents learn to be criminals

• Watching violent television reinforces violent behavior

Richard Ramirez The Night Stalker

Artwork By Richard Ramirezhttp://www.members.tripod.com/mayhem44/ramirezart.html

Back-story

Richard Ramirez was born February 29, 1960 to immigrant church going parents Julian and Mercedes Ramirez. He had three brothers and one sister and was the last child to be born in the family.Julian and Mercedes were hard working parents who often worked long hours, and it was said that his father Julian had a bad temper. From his brothers, during his teenage years, Richard learned the burglary trade. Perhaps the most influential character in the life of one of America's most heinous serial killers was his cousin Mike.Mike was a Vietnam veteran with a bad marriage because his wife was not happy that the man that came back from the military was in no way the man who left for the military. Instead of getting a job and supporting his family all he wanted to do now was smoke pot and hang out with Richard. During the time Richard and Mike were together they spent their time riding around smoking pot and reliving the days that Mike spent in Vietnam raping and torturing women there. He had an old footlocker filled with mementos such as pictures of the women taken during the raping and killing process. These pictures were very graphic both sexually and violently, and the subject always talked about was sex. Young Richard experienced sexual feelings while viewing these pictures and having these conversations and doing drugs with Mike. When Richard was 11 Mike and his wife were having an argument, when Mike took out a gun and shot her in the face. Richard witnessed this along with Mike's two children. Later after Mike had gone to jail, Richard and his dad went to the house to collect some personal items and shut the house down. The evidence and blood were still there.

Richard Ramirez The Night Stalker

Artwork By Richard Ramirezhttp://www.members.tripod.com/mayhem44/ramirezart.html

Back-story II

When Richard was 17, his mother, fed up with his marijuana use, rock music, and getting in trouble with his brothers, kicked him out of the house. At 18, disillusioned and atheistic, he left El Paso Texas, his hometown for California where he got arrested for burglary crimes. While in jail, he learned about Satanism from his cell mate. He figured that instead of worshiping God who did not condone his actions, he should be worshiping Satan who most certainly condoned his actions and thoughts.His first murder was actually intended to be a burglary.