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Theories of causation of crime
Three main theoretical approaches to deviant behavior in society
Theories of causation of crime
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I agree with Giselle in that the most compelling crime theory out of the four would be the individual level as it stands as the basis in developing responses to the other three theories of crime. While any social or group level interactions have an undeniable influence, these theories have drawbacks when comparing those individuals who have given into delinquency with those who have been brought up in the same community, socioeconomic surroundings and surrounded by the same peers yet haven’t participated in criminal or delinquent behaviour. Therefore, I think it is fascinating to consider the ways and individual’s personality, beliefs, morals, attitudes and to some degree their biology shape their understanding and responses to crime, to whether
There are many views on crime and deviance and many theories to why they occur.
Theories There are many theories that in all different contexts when it comes to crimes. From categories like sociological or psychological or even biological. Below are the theories that I chose for the crimes committed by Gary Leon Ridgeway. The Control Theories doesn’t focus on why people commit these crimes but why these theories look at the personal, social and or moral controls that a person had that prevents them from committing a crime.
...ifferent crime patterns and thought processes of criminals. The reasons can only come from these theories and will help the justice systems become more prepared to react towards different crimes. However, with adding some enhancements, projects and experiments these two theories have the potential to change the criminology realm forever.
Trait theory views criminality as a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits. It is based on a mix between biological factors and environmental factors. Certain traits alone cannot determine criminality. We are born with certain traits and these traits along with certain environmental factors can cause criminality (Siegel, 2013). According to (Siegel, 2013), the study of sociobiology sparked interest in biological or genetic makeup as an explanation for crime and delinquency. The thought is that biological or genetic makeup controls human behavior, and if this is true, then it should also be responsible for determining whether a person chooses crime or conventional behavior. This theory is referred to as trait theory (Siegel, 2013). According to Siegel (2013), due to the fact that offenders are different, one cannot pinpoint causality to crime to just a single biological or psychological attribute. Trait theorist looks at personal traits like intelligence, personality, and chemical and genetic makeup; and environmental factors, such as family life, educational attainment, economic factors, and neighborhood conditions (Siegel, 2013). There are the Biosocial Trait theories an...
An integrated theory is a combination of 2 or 3 theories that offers many explanations on why crime is occurring, compared to a traditional criminal theory that just focus on one type of aspect (Lilly et al.2010). The purpose of integrated theories is to help explain many aspects into what causes criminal behavior and why one becomes delinquent. From this an argument arises can integrated theories be used to explain all criminal behavior. Integrated theories are successful in explaining certain aspects of crime on what causes one to become deviant; however one theory alone cannot explain why an individual engages in crime. This paper will examine three integrated theories and look in-depth how these theories can explain different aspects on why criminal behavior occurs and the weakness of each theory. The three integrated theories that will be discussed in this paper are Cloward and Ohlin Differential Opportunity theory, Robert Agnew General Strain theory, and lastly Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond theory.
Finding strong evidence surrounding this topic could be significant to reducing crime rates and addressing the public health issue. What I have learn from research-based evidence and analyzing social and cultural theories, is that criminal behavior is multifaceted and is influenced by a range of determinants in which surrounds the nature versus nurture debate. I believe that nature and nurture both play significant roles to the making of a criminal.
There are a variety of variables that will affect the way a person views crime. The most common factors are race and ethnicity, religion, social class, education, and ethics. These variables are the most common way to differentiate the belief structures our society possess . Our belief systems are not innate, they are set in place; it is a learned ideal. In essence, a person’s perception of crime is based on their upbringing and background.
I have spent the last four and one half years working in the criminal justice system as a county jailer, jail deputy and currently a police officer. Throughout my short career in law enforcement I had had a front row seat to what many industry insiders call, “The greatest show on earth.” In this class and during my undergraduate years I have studied many theories on why people commit crimes, and all theories have valid points on why people commit crime.
In conclusion, these explanations of crime are simplistic and therefore it is probably better to take an interactionist approach, seeing genes, society, upbringing and personality all interacting to cause criminal behaviour.
Psychological theories of criminal behavior emphasize criminal thinking patterns or personality defects. These theories emphasize individual differences in behavior and the approaches to thinking, feeling, and decision-making that make some people predisposed to committing criminal acts.
Having defined criminal behavior, its wide terms the explanation of that behavior needs to be equally comprehensive. There are ranges of theories that attempt to explain behaviour i...
I think that utilitarianism theory makes the most sense to me over the other crime theories. The utilitarianism theory is based on that crime is rational and the punishment should fit the crime and is what the American jurisprudence system is based on. In a free society I feel that crime is a choice individuals make and not the result of biological for social circumstances. When I evaluated biological theory, it sounds like the general consensus is that an individual is born a criminal or a hereditary trait, but there is little evidence to support that all criminals are effected biologically. As for sociological theory in some places in the world, I can see this approach being effective. However, in the United States, we are a free country
Biological theories that have been developed in the society which explain the causes of crime focus their idea on the composition of the human body. The physical body, evolutionary factors, inherited genes, brain structures and hormones influences the ability of individuals to engage in criminal activities. It means that there are certain biological compositions that when an individual has them, they cannot resist committin...
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.
Different schools of thought propose varying theoretical models of criminality. It is agreeable that criminal behaviour is deep rooted in societies and screams for attention. Biological, Social ecological and psychological model theories are key to helping researchers gain deeper comprehension of criminal behaviour and ways to avert them before they become a menace to society. All these theories put forward a multitude of factors on the outlooks on crime. All these theories have valid relevancy to continuous research on criminal behaviour.