What Causes Delinquent Behavior

920 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Factors of criminal behaviors

It is hard for anyone to understand why people commit heinous crimes. We as human beings are all capable of committing or engaging in delinquent behavior. What stands in the way of a person that decides to engage in deviant behavior or to choose not to commit crimes at all. We may never truly know or understand the real reasons behind why certain people engage in delinquent behavior. Early philosophers and scientists studied the Criminal Justice System and the behavior of criminals using different forms of theories, which in turn, lead to the Classical School and the Positive School. We all use theories in our everyday life. We make assumptions about certain things, that in turn allow us to form a kind of theory or thought. We gather these assumptions very early on in life, by what we have been taught or have learned. Exactly what is a theory and how is it different form a hypothesis? A theory is a set of statements or principles that explain how two or more events are related to each other. A hypothesis is an explanation for an observation, or natural phenomenon that can be tested and retested for further investigation. Theories can be concrete or either abstract. Knowing that when you turn the knob on the fault water will come out or knowing that it might rain if you see clouds in the sky. These theories are relatively simple or concrete. Abstract theories are very difficult to apply to our reality. It is very difficult in testing the concept that the faster you travel the slower time gets. Theories on crime rates in a particular community and the different effects that it has on the different social structures are abstract. When you are conducting your research, there are two methods that you can use Quantitative and Qualita... ... middle of paper ... ...to a lifestyle. The more that parents become parents, not the best-friend, knowing what is going on with their child and who they are hanging out with, could possibly one day make that child not wanting or choosing to commit crimes In conclusion, we see that these great scientist and philosophers gathered their theories trying to explained why people engaged in delinquent behavior. Through studying these theories, we are able to analyze and critique the way they viewed criminals and how we can shape our Criminal Justice Systems to become more affective in dealing with criminals and their behavior. Another important note that we all have to understand is that no one theory will be able to take complete control over one or more views, because of this theories should be integrated together to form new and larger approaches to the problem that is before us today.

Show More
Related

  • Crimes and Social Deviances in the 1990s

    638 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many views on crime and deviance and many theories to why they occur.

    Read More

  • Trait Theory And Crime

    1099 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many theories that can be applied to different cases that have occurs in Americas history. The two theories that are choses for this paper are the trait theory and under the trait theory is psychological which is “abnormal personality and psychological traits are the key to determinant of anti-social behavior. There is a link between mental illness, personality disorders and crime (Siegel, 2014). The second theory is the Choice theory which “criminals weigh the cost and benefits and make a conscious, rational choice to commit crime” (Siegel, 2014). This paper will show how a theory can be applied to a person and a crime. Some of the cases that are being presented some will not agree but up us all about the person perspective.

    Read More

  • Psychoanalytic and Phenomenological Explanations of Persistent Antisocial Criminal Behavior

    1692 Words  | 4 Pages

    Individuals' personalities and overall quality of living are significantly influenced by several interrelated sources ranging from one's upbringing and quality of relationships to their own feelings of self-esteem and worth. Though this may seem relatively easy and un-complex, countless people today are engaged in persistent antisocial, criminal behavior, and seem unable to find an alternative, legal, means of living. While many have tried to explain such behavior through various theories, the causes of criminal activity remain to be satisfactorily clarified. Essentially, antisocial criminal activity has two aspects to it. Antisocial behavior is that in which one shuns society and others, while criminal activity is the act of performing a deed that violates an established law of the community. Obviously, such actions have serious consequences, which can range from community service and a fine to prison time. Even though there are several reasons that one may become an antisocial criminal, two theories of personality that provide reasonable explanations of this phenomenon, each in their own way, are the psychoanalytic and phenomenological theories.

    Read More

  • Jordan Brown Case Study

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    The study of Juvenile delinquency and the theories pertaining to it are vital for several reasons. In order to more effectively engage with youths and foster positive behavior and schemas, the individuals must first be understood. The study of theory provides a means of understanding adolescents and the factors that lead to or detract from delinquent behavior. In the case of juvenile delinquent, Jordan Brown, theory helps to provide insight into why an eleven-year-old boy murdered his stepmother.

    Read More

  • First Hand Investigations

    1386 Words  | 3 Pages

    First, when observations are made, hypothesises are formed. To test these hypothesises scientists conduct experiments. If their hypothesis is right, it is confirmed by further experiments and validated by other scientists. After many experiments and confirmations, a theory is formed. A scientific theory is a broad and general idea or explanation provided by scientists and is related to observations and is supported by a large amount of evidence. A theory is not a fact however it is just a possible explanation. An example of a theory is the Big Bang Theory.

    Read More

  • Criminal Psychology: Exploring Theories and Profiles

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    Criminals have been linked to many theories. Some are absurd, to others being logical. As a nation, we only make 5% of the world’s population. Yet, we hold 25% of the world 's population of prisoners. Many can be missing a superego from the psychodynamic psychology. Others just grew up with criminals like differential association. To many not seeing themselves at fault, but try to make the act they did less severe than it actually was, like in neutralization theory.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Reduce Delinquency

    2470 Words  | 5 Pages

    Juvenile Delinquency is a complicated subject because researchers and scholars have tried different methods to reduce it. Research shows that the methods which have had better results are those that are implemented in a way where the family of the juveniles gets involved in the process (Laub, 2014). A policy that will be advocated is the policy in the city of Santa Ana, CA: The Santa Ana Police Athletic and Academic League (SAPAAL). If we want to reduce delinquency and crime then we should focus on prevention rather than intervention. There is not one theory that explains why people commit crime, on the contrary, there are multiple well-known theories that argue for different explanations of delinquency. As learned through lectures

    Read More

  • Is Intelligent Design Theory A Scientific Theory?

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    Scientific theory by definition seeks to explain observed phenomena by stating the causal reasons that led to the event. The central component of the theory must adhere to the principles of

    Read More

  • Social Work Theory

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    Theory is an attempt to explain the unexplained, to give title to the untitled and to give reason to the unreasonable. It is a combination of existing knowledge and newly acquired knowledge that allows us to make assumptions in order to realize reasonably foreseeable outcomes. It is only in the realms of science, physics and mathematics that the repeated application

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Neutralization Theory

    1963 Words  | 4 Pages

    Theories have often been developed to explain how delinquents violate social norms and still manage to maintain positive self images of themselves. Neutralization theory, developed by Gresham Sykes and David Matza in 1957 set out to do just this. Critics, however, have claims that the theory, on it’s own, is not a sufficient explanation for adolescent’s participation in crime in delinquency. It has also been claimed by critics that neutralization theory is best viewed as a components of larger theory of crime and can be incorporated into other theories such as social bond theory.

    Read More

  • Criminology And Differential Association Theory

    1653 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Criminality is learned in the same manner as any other learned behavior” (Siegel). People, and criminals, learn motives, values and techniques from interactions and experiences with other people. This can be with parents and family members or peers in someone 's life. The theory says that the criminal need someone to teach them the criminal acts before they commit the act themselves. This theory “affirm[s] the importance of criminal contact as a means for learning how to offend” (McCarthy). Most people do not wake up one day and decide to start being criminals. Most of the time, that person has friends and acquaintances around them already doing criminal acts. That person might think that the acts are criminal and bad but, after a while of hanging around them, especially if they never get in trouble, the deviant acts will look more normal. People become “delinquents because of an excess of definition favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of law”

    Read More

  • Sociological Theories Of Crime

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are different types of social phenomenon in our society, and one existing phenomenon that capture our attention like no other is crime. What is crime? Crime is an abnormal behavior that violates norms, and especially cultural standards that we as human are suppose to respect and have certain behavior towards. Standards such as : the changing of social, political, psychological, and economic conditions that have an effect on the justification of crime and the structural reaction of the criminal justice system created by Federal and State officials. Rational and deterrence theories are two important theories in this perspective. Research through out history provided us with different theories to help explain why people commit deviance acts.

    Read More

  • delinquency in youth

    2043 Words  | 5 Pages

    Juvenile delinquency remains a serious problem in Canada. There were more than 52,900 cases completed in youth court in 2010/2011 in which over 15,000 of them were violent offenses. However, it is estimated that this issue may be much larger than arrests show because only about half of all crimes involving juveniles are even reported. The property crime rate ranges from 3,909 to 3,155 per 100,000 and violent crime rate ranges from 1,944 to 1,838 per 100,000. In order to create interventions to assist at-risk youth, prevent them from beginning on the path of delinquency, or assist in corrective programs to encourage good behavior among the juvenile criminal population, professionals in the juvenile justice system must attain a better understanding of the causal factors that underlie delinquent behavior. A theory is an explanation that makes a systematic and logical argument about what is important and why. Delinquency or delinquents refers to a person who commits a felony or is involved in illegal activity. This study seeks to determine which, among the numerous explanations for juvenile crime, are the most rampant causes among the criminal population that induce the inclination in criminal behavior. This study will cover origin of the behaviour problems that include biological, psychological and sociological relations that may factors as to why youth become delinquents. For example, a sociological issue that might lead to a juvenile becoming a delinquent may be the more delinquent friends one has, the greater chance one has to become a delinquent themselves. Delinquency then causes several problems within society that allows youth to attain criminal records, receive criminal punishment and ruin one’s reputation within society. Pre...

    Read More

  • Are Criminals Born or Made?

    2147 Words  | 5 Pages

    Criminals are born not made is the discussion of this essay, it will explore the theories that attempt to explain criminal behaviour. Psychologists have come up with various theories and reasons as to why individuals commit crimes. These theories represent part of the classic psychological debate, nature versus nurture. Are individuals predisposed to becoming a criminal or are they made through their environment.

    Read More

  • What Are The Causes Of Juvenile Delinquency

    854 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is understood that there is no one single cause for juvenile delinquency. There are many factors involved, including biological, environmental, social, and punitive influences. Nathan Fisher acknowledges this in the article “Factors Leading to Bad Juvenile Behavior,” written for Demand Media. Recognizing that there is not a single issue related to why juveniles become offenders helps develop effective prevention and intervention techniques to address the issue of delinquency.

    Read More

More about What Causes Delinquent Behavior

Open Document