...dominant norms of society. There are many different theories on what causes a person to perform deviant behavior, including biological explanations, psychological explanations, and sociological explanations. Numerous theories have been established to explain criminal behavior. While some theories are not as common, others have evolved and are used in many criminal studies today. Up-to-date criminologists combine the most relevant characteristics of sociology, psychology, biological, and social-psychological to advance their understanding of criminal behavior. Professionals in this field study factors that contribute to criminal activities, make relevant policy recommendations and draw conclusions based on those assessments. (Varying Theories on Crime, 2015) Several theories attempt to explain criminal behavior. Most theories assume: * Crime is part of human nature. * Crime is based on biological, psychological, and/or economic aspects. One of the earliest approaches to explaining the causes of crime was the classical theory, which is defined as a product of the Enlightenment, based on the assumption that people exercise free will and are consequently completely responsible for their actions. In the classical theory, human behavior, including criminal behavior, is motivated by a self-indulgent wisdom, in which actors with the potential pleasure of an action against the possible pain associated with it. (Explaining Crime, 2015) In 1764, criminologist Cesare Beccaria...
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...the right realist approach to crime and deviance. (21 marks) Right realists argue that crime today is a very real and growing problem. Right Realists argue that crime threatens society’s work ethic, social cohesion and destroys communities in society. Unlike other theories, Right realism focuses on the solutions for crime alongside the explanation of what causes crime in society, this approach also criticise labelling and criminology theories for being too sympathetic to the offender or too hostile to those in power. Right realists, Wilson and Herrnstein argue the idea that crime is a result of biological differences in people. Some people are suggested to be more inclined to commit crime than others. For example, those with higher traits of aggression may have the increasing tendency to commit crime. In support of the previous point, Wilson and Murray argue that low intelligence can lead to the causes of crime, this being a biological trait shows that crime is because of biological differences. In contrast, Lilly found that differences in intelligence only accounted for a 3% difference in offenders. This implies that it is very unlikely that the causes of crime are biological differences. Clarke, a right realist, came up with the rational choice theory, suggesting that crime is a matter of choice which is made by the criminal who weighs up the costs and benefits of committing crimes. In today’s society, the costs of committing petty crimes are rather low, whereas the rewards...
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...Sociological Theories of Crime AIU Online April 9, 2016 There are many theories as to why one commits acts of crime. Some of the theories revolve around socialism. Others involve theoretical assertions based on socioeconomic status. And another has basis on personal attributes and rationale to thought in motive. There are also different thoughts to explaining criminal behaviors, one being classical school of thought and the other being a positivist school of thought. For the focus of this paper we will be looking at the four main theories: Social control theory, Strain theory, Differential Association Theory, and Neutralization theory. Social control theory is the theory that those who engage in socializing or social learning build self-control and lessens the likelihood of antisocial behavior. This theory also explains the conformity of behavior accepted in society. Anti-social behavior due to lack of social links within society lend strong indications to criminal behaviors. Travis Hirschi’s held this same theory of ‘‘social control’’ stating that if a man is not variously bound to society by some attachment, commitment, or involvement, he is, at risk criminally. (Muraven, 2006) One of the strengths in this theory is the recognition of wrongdoing by offenders. With the recognition of wrongdoing should come the accountability of action. Therein lies the weakness to this theory as accountability for one’s actions tends to be ignored in today’s society, easily dismissed...
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...A Changing Age-Crime Climax Criminals are in many different forms. They may differ in size, shape, and tone of skin. However, in the United States, the majority of criminals possess a similar trait. According to the uniform crime report (UCR), the overwhelming majority of criminals, leading in all offenses, are between the ages of 25 and 29 (UCR 2016). These arrest statistics show that there is indeed an age-crime curve that ultimately peaks at ages 25 through 29, and quickly declines thereafter. “For decades criminologists have debated the connection between age and crime” (Andersen 2015), and still seek explanations as to why there is such a significant curve in the data. It is important to note and examine which are the most frequent offenses...
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...Criminology addresses three categories of hypothesis, which endeavored to clarify criminal behavior. These categories are Psychological, sociological and Biological speculations. All three theories attempted to make great efforts to establish credibility and dependability. In spite of the fact that ideas that included crime causation and establishment of current criminology started with a basic and reasonable methodology of classic criminology. Recognizing the reason for criminal behavior from the hypothesis stance turned into a particular and significant assignment of criminology. Classic theorists accepted that criminal conduct is represented by an independent and free choice and their perspectives were simply philosophical. Enrico Ferri, an Italian Criminologist Suggested a characterization of criminal sorts. These classifications were: • Born or instinctive • The insane • The passionate • The involuntary • The occasional • The habitual...
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...CASE STUDY PAPER 1 Kid Killers: Delinquency Theories Arache Lotfalian UMUC CCJS 350 Professor Donovan 11/29/2012 CASE STUDY PAPER 2 In the middle class suburban town of Littleton, near Denver Colorado, a 17 year old murderous fantasy is beginning to take shape. Eric Harris and a friend known as “Vulcan” or “V” intend to commit an act so violent that it will secure their place in history. The following is an expert from Harris’s Journal, mastermind behind the Columbine Shooting: “Sometime in April next year, me and “V” will get revenge, kick natural selection up a few notches. If we’ve learned anything about the art of making pipe bombs, we’ll set hundreds of them around roads, bridges, buildings, and gas stations; anything that will cause damage and chaos. It will be like the L.A. riots, Oklahoma City bombings, WWII, Vietnam, Duke and Doom all mixed together. I want to leave a lasting impression on the world.” One year later on April the 20th 1999, Eric Harris and another Columbine student, Dylan Klebold, committed the worst High School massacre in American history. They killed twelve students and one teacher; injured twenty three others and then turned the guns on themselves (Avila, 2000). Immediately following the mass shootings, media, sociologists and criminologists set about the difficult task of discovering the motives of the killers and answering the question of whether or not problems within society allowed this to happen....
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...Criminal Crime is an activity that societies around the globe have had to experience from close to the beginning of manhood. Crime is nothing new to us but the extent of criminal behavior has evolved over the centuries. We will probably never live in a world that is free of crime, but learning more about the criminal aspects in our society may one day make our world a much better place to live. To help resolve criminal behavior becoming more familiar with the biological and psychological explanations of crime, the way criminals learn to commit crimes and the criminal justice system in place to deal with criminals must be understood. Understanding the explanations of crime is a controversial issue by many researchers. What is understood is that the crime rate over the last century has increased and that this is largely due to the criminals in our society. If the criminal could be understood then perhaps that would be a large step in the combat against crime. Criminologists study factors to explain why and individual would commit crimes. Although one explanation does not supersede the other when considering the causes of crime, research has shown evidence of biological and psychological factors resulting in the criminal characteristics. Often people experience both contributing factors that drive them into the world of criminal behavior. Biological causation of crimes used to be an instrumental tool for criminologists interested in the structure of a criminal. Biological theories...
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... Abstract Figuring out and understanding why people commit crimes is a main concern of criminology. Do the majority of criminals act and think rationally after weighing the consequences of crime? Is society to blame for an individual committing a crime? Do factors such as mental diseases or genetics play a role in whether or not one lives a life of crime? Theories have developed over time explaining the above questions and this paper will explore them and their answers. Criminology in the Criminal Justice System Over the years many individuals have developed theories as to why crimes are committed. Determining why crimes are committed is a main concern of criminology. When studying criminology it is important to understand what it is as well as understanding crime. In the field of criminology, it is important to determine if criminal acts are rationally thought out before being committed, if society plays a role in crime, and what issues drive an individual to live a life of crime. Before one can understand criminology and its purpose, one must have a clear understanding of crime. According to Paul W. Tappan, crime is defined as “an intentional act or omission in violation of criminal law, committed without defense or justification, and sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor” (Hendrix, 2014, p. 6). Having an understanding of what criminology is can be crucial when trying to determine why crimes are committed. According to Nicole Hendrix and James Inciardi...
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...GENDER, CRIME AND JUSTICE Gender patterns in crime * Most crime appears to be committed by males * Heidensohn: gender differences are perhaps the most significant feature of recorded crime * Higher propotion of female than males offenders are convicted of propert offences. Most males are convicted of violence/sexual offences * Males are more likely to repeat offenders and commit more serious crimes Do women commit more crime? They underestimate the amount of females as against females offending * Females crimes such as shoplifting are less likely to be reported * Even when women’s crimes are detected or reported, they are less likely to be prosecuted The chivalry thesis It argues that most criminal justice agents are men, and men are socialised to act in a chivalrous way towards women * Otto Pollack: men have a protective attitude towards women * Criminal justice system is more lenient with women and so their crimes are less likely to end up in oficial statistics, so gives and invalid picture exaggerating gender differences. Eg. males were 2.33 times more likely to admit committing crime, whereas oficial statistics shows males as four times more likely * Evidence * David Farrington and Alison Morris- study of sentencing 408 offences of theft in magistrates court * Women aapear to be treated more leniently, may be because offences are less serious * Box: women who commit serious offences are not treated more favourably...
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...Trait Theory and Aggression Abstract This paper reviews how trait theories account for anger and aggression and it provides an opinion on whether or not the anger management programs provided at San Quentin prison can be effective in changing offender's behaviors. Keywords: Trait Theory. Trait theory states that our personality traits, and our genetics can predispose us to crime. The theory states that some individuals are born criminal and can be identified by primitive physical traits. There are several theories that were developed early on. In this paper we will briefly discuss early studies in the field of criminal anthropology led by Cesare Lambroso. The content of this paper will then focus on psychological trait theories, and biosocial trait theories of crime. Lastly, this paper will provide my opinion on the video that was presented to us in this week's assignment, "Inside San Quentin – Anger Management Behind Bars", and the effectiveness of anger management programs provided to inmates in an attempt to control their anger and aggression. There are several studies that were conducted by many renowned scientists in the field of personality traits and how they account for anger, aggression, and criminality. The earliest research into criminality and psychological, as well as physical traits was conducted by Cesare Lambroso. Born in 18th century, Lambroso was an Italian university professor and a criminologist. His early...
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...functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 marks) In this essay one will assess the view of functionalists and how they approach their view of the causes of crime. Functionalisms over all view is to try understand how society shapes us by using a positivist view. Crime is defined as an action which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. One will assess each functionalist and their theories looking at how they coincide with one another, then challenge these theories to other sociologists. One functionalist sociologist is Talcott Parsons, he sees that society is based on a ‘value consensus’, and that without such a set of core values, social life would be impossible to maintain. Therefore society is a system and has to meet and fulfil certain needs, compared similarly to a biological organism. Parsons argued that certain things can be destabilising to society, for example when people do not conform to what is expected. By relating to a biological organism Parsons uses the idea of the ‘sick role’ where those that are ill don’t respect the medical profession by accepting that they are ill. He says that sickness is seen as deviant and has the potential for destabilising society. In comparison in society if someone has a ‘deviant illness’ they do not conform to what is seen as the norms in society, they are then seen as deviant and are likely to be rejected in society and turn to crime. Another sociologist is Durkheim...
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...Deviance is defined as the recognized violation of cultural norms. This is an extremely broad definition, and depending on who is explaining it, the above definition can mean a variety of different things. Critically examine the theory of deviance with reference to young people and their membership in deviant subcultures or gangs. Deviance is associated with young people today and is rapidly on the increase within the street and school environment. Young deviants are engaging in gang membership and subcultures with a means of social belonging, social interest and ethnic identity. There are several sociological and subcultural theories which deem to explain deviance. Some of the theories are functionalist pretentious that criminal activity is motivated by economic needs, while others conceive a social class basis for deviance. Deviance sociologically can be defined as a norm or rule-breaking behaviour which in most cases is focused to negative social sanctions. It describes actions or behaviours that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules. Examples of this would be crime. Cultural norms are behaviour patterns that are characteristic of specific groups. Such behaviours can be learned from parents, teachers and peers. Some norms are healthy whereas some are not. Unhealthy norms usually proceed to crime. Crime is defined as a behaviour which is prohibited and liable to be punished by law. Deviance is a behaviour not prescribed by law. Deviants are seen...
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...“Crime is the result of individual behaviour, rather than the product of a socialisation process” Discuss. For decades sociologists from around the world have been debating what factors lead people to commit crime. Some have deduced that individual behaviour is the primary factor while others have concluded that crime is more the product of a socialisation process. In order to understand this contentious issue it is necessary to consider the credibility of a number of theories: physiological, psychological, right realism, Marxism, subculturalism, and left realism. Through the analysis of these theories, a conclusion will then be arrived at as to whether individual behaviour, rather than the socialisation process, is the main cause of crime. Physiological theories focus on the relationship between a person’s biology and crime. Therefore, this theoretical area of study clearly links the individual to crime. Today, a number of criminologists continue to support physiological explanations, even though, historically, many of theories linked to physiology have been disproved. Anne Moir and David Jessel are two such theorists who have proposed a link between biology and crime. They have suggested that a low IQ (which can be inherited) leads to impulsive behaviour, which may in turn lead a person to be more likely to commit crime. Moir and Jessel also claim that there is a link between crime and hormonal differences which make males more aggressive than females and therefore...
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...of both the causes of crime and the solutions to crime (21 marks) As suggested in item A, right realists explain crime to be a social problem requiring practical solutions. Realists focus on crime which is at the centre of public concern, for example street crime, violence and burglary; they are concerned with increasing measures of crime control. Wilson and Hernstein put forward a biosocial theory explaining the causes of crime; they argue crime is an activity disproportionately committed by young men living in large cities, these young men are temperamentally aggressive as a result of biological factors which predisposes them to crime. The social aspect to their theory comes from the belief that young men are socialised in the family, school and wider community in a culture that emphasises immediate gratification, low impulse control and self-expression which has reduced the restraints on their behaviour in conforming to society’s norms and value, resulting in more crime. A criticism of Wilson and Hernstein’s theory is their assumption that young males in inner cities are responsible for most crime. Right realists uses official statistics to base their theory on, thus, the assumption of young males could be based on an invalid picture presented by official statistics. The theory also ignores wider structural causes of crime, such as the increasing gap between the rich and the poor creating resentment and relative deprivation resulting in more crime. Right Realists focus...
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...gathered basic sociodemographic information on a sample of 40 female criminal in the French population. These women had committed a variety of crimes, ranging from homicide, torture, rape to drug traffic. Harrati et al. were able to identify several common trends in the past history of female offenders. Though more than half of the offenders in the sample had completed high school, thirteen had only made it through elementary school and only one had gone to college. Sepowitz et al. found similar results. They studied the social, educational and familial histories of 29 adolescent females charged with homicide or attempted homicide in the state of Florida, using the MAYSI (a risk classification instrument). Among the sample (women juveniles whose ages ranged between 12 and 17), more than a third had been suspended or expelled from school, and over a quarter had no job and weren't attending...
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