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Social factors contributing to criminal behavior
5 sociological theories of delinquency
Limitations of rational choice theory in crime
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In my opinion, rational choice theory is an interesting classical view of explaining why kids engage in delinquent behavior. This theory presented reasonable and clear explanations that are certainly representative for the youth population who engages in deviant behavior. I thought the strategies of controlling delinquency were definitely valid and practical. If many delinquents are captured and punished this can help set an example that the risk of getting captured is high and kids would be deterred. Therefore, punishment must be certain and reasonable. Choice theorists could have explained the group of delinquents who commit crimes for enjoyment or entertainment. For instance, kids from high socioeconomic backgrounds that are car thefts or
Situational crime prevention is an idea criminologists use in order to reduce the chances of crime initially taking place. This theory does not aim to punish criminals after the crime has taken place like the criminal justice system does, but however the opposite, it aims to reduce the chances of the crime taking place to start with. Ron Clarke (2005) describes this theory as an approach that aims to reduce the opportunities out there for crime, involving rational choice theory. Clark focuses on three methods within this theory, directing at specific crimes, altering the environment we live in and aiming to reduce the benefits of committing crimes.
Generally, it started as a plan by Sandy Fonzo and her husband to teach their son Edward Kenzakowski, 17 years-old at the time a lesson. Sandy Fonzo and her husband notice that Edward had been hanging out with the wrong crowed. Despite him have a clear record and excelling in school, as well as sports, such a wrestling, they feared he might or did not want to see him ruin his chances at a scholarship (Ecenbarger 2012). Thus, the devised a plan, and her husband planned paraphernalia on Edward’s truck, meanwhile tipping off the cops. They were hoping that their son who receive probation, meanwhile getting imitated by tough Judge Mark Ciavarella when in front of him. Like a little bit of a tough
The study of criminology involves many different theories in which people attempt to explain reasoning behind criminal behavior. Although there are many different theories the focus of this paper is the comparison and contrasting sides of The Differential Association Theory (DAT) of Edwin Sutherland and the Neoclassicism Rational Choice Theory. The Differential Theory falls under Social Process Theories which focuses on sociological perspective of crime. The Rational Choice Theory falls under Neoclassicism which believes that criminal behavior is ultimately a choice.
Crime causation is looking at why people commit crimes. There are many theories that have been developed to explain this. The theories can be grouped into eight general categories of which one is the Classical theory (Schmallegar, 2011, p. 79). A subset of this theory, rational choice theory, will be specifically looked at to explain the crime of burglary. Just as no one causation theory explains all crimes committed, the rational choice theory itself does not completely explain why all burglars commit their crimes. Therefore, the pros and cons of the rational choice theory will be discussed in relation to the crime topic of burglary.
The rational choice theory comes from the classical theory which is based off of personal choice towards criminal behavior. Criminal behavior under the rational choice theory has been due to the free thinking of society and has always been because of a specific thought process of personal vendettas. For example, a jealous person may feel the need to do something physically illegal like punching another person in the face because the benefit of gratitude is worth the risk of consequence. The example above is part of the rational choice theory and the reason is because that particular person weighed the costs and benefits of their illegal action. Rational choice theory is a vision where crime is a functionality of the decision-making process of the criminal in which they weigh the costs and benefits of an illegal act in society (Siegel, 2011).
Did you know that in 2014, shoplifting and worker’s theft cost the retail industry a loss of thirty-two billion dollars (Wahba, 2015)? According Wahba “a common misperception about shoplifting is that retailers can ‘afford’ the loss of a candy bar or a pair of jeans” (2015). This type of reasoning certainly does make more sense when explained through the context of a criminological theory. For example according to the Rational Choice theory individuals weigh the costs and benefits associated with a criminal and or deviant act and then make a conscious choice. Other criminological theories explain criminal and deviant behavior using a biological, psychological, social, conflict, or multifactor component. Taking that into consideration in this
White-collar crime is the financially motivated illegal acts that are committed by the middle and upper class through their legitimate business or government activities. This form of crime was first coined by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” (Linden, 2016). Crime has often been associated with the lower class due to economic reasons. However, Sutherland stressed that the Criminal Justice System needed to acknowledge illegal business activity as crime due to the repercussions they caused and the damage they can cause to society (Linden, 2016). Crime was prevalently thought to only be
they are currently in. A juvenile committing crime may the only way they know to display their anger and feelings of neglect.
Rational choice is based on the belief criminals act in a rational way. Rational choice could be related to terrorism when you understand how terrorist acts, their beliefs, and their actions. Terrorism happens when there are suitable targets, motivated offenders, especially without strong ties to the community, such as those who are unemployed, and absence of guardians such as the police, which would be explained by rational choice theory (Anderton & Carter, 2005). Like other forms of violent crime terrorist attacks are usually carried out by young males (Silke, A. 2003). This is important fact to know for law enforcement to know who to target. A Rational choice view of terrorism has certain factors to consider such as timing, international
When criminals think that the benefit of committing the crime will outweigh the cost if they get caught, they make a choice to commit the crime. There are two varieties of rational choice theory. One, situational choice theory, which is an extension of rational choice theory and two, routine activities theory or RAT, which states that the daily routine or patterns in ones’ activities make it much easier for an individual to become a victim of crime. The theory is, crime is more likely to happen when a criminal and their victim come together in the absence of authority (Schmalleger). A situation made easier to come by when the criminal knows the victim’s daily routines or patterns.
Juvenile delinquency is committing criminal acts or offenses by a young person, generally involving people under the age of eighteen. That is what this research proposal is about. For my research proposal my research question is what can cause or deter juvenile delinquency in first time offenders? I feel that this is an important question to be asking, because in our society there is too much juvenile delinquency and if we can use this research to figure out what can cause and deter this phenomenon then we could sincerely help a lot of adolescents.
Throughout history, communities and experts have varying opinions when it comes to explaining why there are juveniles or minors violating rules and laws. According to Martin (2005), early experts and communities tried to explain juvenile delinquency with two theories: demonism and naturalism. Naturalism pertains to the ‘practice of linking human affairs with the natural world, justifying human behavior with the influence of nature.’ For example, if the change due to lunar and solar cycles, human behavior is also affected by these forces. Ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean use this theory to determine the outcome of wars and abnormal occurrences unexplainable in the period.
Delinquent behavior frequently happens in social surroundings in which the standards for tolerable behavior have decreased. Delinquent is a term that the courts use very loosely. Once you have committed so many offences in the Juvenile Court System the courts place you in different categories. Most youth that live in very harsh conditions are automatically viewed as a juvenile. Most criminals start out as a juvenile delinquent and go into their adult lives as criminals as well. Juvenile delinquency is becoming a little more complicated in terms of mental health is concerned. Most juveniles today suffer with mental health issues that cause them to act out in certain manners. Most delinquent acts by youth are said to be
Juvenile delinquency is the habitual committing of criminal acts or offenses by a young person, especially one below the age at which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible. Although roughly related, as a consensus theorist juvenile delinquency is something that will not be tolerated in criminal law. “If a crime is committed it is punished by what the society considers appropriate” (The Consensus theory of criminal law, Miguel Wong). This relates to juvenile delinquency in the sense that laws are placed in society to limit crime. If delinquents are to not abide by set laws, punishment is enforced in a court like system as it has been since the time and centuries of Plato and Aristotle. With the consensus theory individuals of the court system agree on the values and terms of the crime and define what is right and wrong. Often times there is a strong barrier between what the court believes and juvenile delinquency. As times begin to change, more and more things are being passed as laws. The age barrier between those enforcing the set laws and the delinquents breaking them play a part as to why the consensus theory an “out dated theory”. During a juvenile delinquency case, the consensus theory of criminology should not play such a vital part in the
In the article “Prevalence and Development of Child Delinquency” written by Howard N. Snyder, he explains that “Older juveniles often influence younger children. In addition, studies have shown that juveniles who associate with deviant peers are more likely to be involved in delinquent behavior and arrested at a younger age than those who do not associate with such deviant juveniles” (Snyder 36). Children that are abused and/or associate themselves with delinquents run a greater risk of developing delinquent behavior themselves. According to "Breaking the Cycle of Violence: A Rational Approach to At-Risk Youth." Written by Judy Briscoe, “Peer rejection may also influence child and adolescent delinquency by inducing the rejected child to associate with deviant peer groups and gangs. Gang membership provides a ready source of co-offenders for juvenile delinquency and reflects the greatest degree of deviant peer influence on offending. Also, youth tend to join gangs at younger ages than in the past, which leads to an increased number of youthful offenders.” (Briscoe 8) Although children tend to have the same values and beliefs as their parents, their different experiences and influences while growing up shape their beliefs and their view of the world, which has a direct impact on their ability to make rational decisions. It’s possible that if a child had