Masculine Identity and Aggressive Behavior among Illegal Motorcycle Riders from Social Learning Theory

Abstract

This article discusses masculine identity and aggressive behaviour among illegal motorcycle racers from a theoretical perspective. Ironically, an existing masculine identity indirectly ‘recognizes’ presence and helps maintain existence as a group in society. Studies on the relationship of masculine identity with criminal misconduct have also been of concern to many academics. A large number of past researchers have used criminological theory to explain issues related to masculinity and criminal misconduct. This theoretical perspective needs to be clarified to understand the key masculine characteristics meant by illegal motorcyclists such as relationship building, respect, courage, aggression, dominance and willingness to use any form of violence to resolve conflict. Thus, this article discusses the one of criminology theory to explain masculine identity and aggressive behaviour among illegal motorcycle racers in Penang, Malaysia. The discussion of this study focuses on four basic assumptions namely relationship differences, definitions, reinforcement/reinforcement differences and imitation. This article also briefly describes recommendations for future research in the criminological literature. Thus, these masculine identities and aggressive behaviours are learned, acquired, repeated and altered in the social structure as the social learning process takes place. Directly, this theory proves its validity as an explanation of the construction of masculine identity in understanding aggressive thinking and behaviour among illegal motorcycle riders in Malaysia.