...Criminal Acts and Choices As children grow up they embrace a set of morals and characteristics that are embedded by their societies. Every individual in society has a set of emotions and own responses to everyday life. Every day individuals are faced with choices they will have to choose a path which can dramatically affect their life. As we walk through life we have our own behaviors. Dr. Glasser explains, “Choice Theory is an explanation of human behavior developed by Dr. William Glasser. Dr. Glasser explains that all we do all our lives is behave, and that we choose our behavior in an attempt to meet one or more of the five basic human needs that are built into our genetic structure.”( ) As we look at Dr. William Glassers explanation of human behaviors we start to determine how choice theory relates to crime. As we study choice theory we start to understand the thinking of criminals and why they commit the crimes they do. Due to our morals that have been driven into us by our society we grew up in we start to piece together the thought process that each individual goes through before and after they commit there crime. According to Choice theory “A criminal commits a crime, according to this theory, because she believes the crime will ultimately benefit her. Possible ways a crime might benefit someone might be financial gain, a sense of control, a sense of power, the mystique of the "outlaw" or just as an alternative career“ ( ). As we investigate more...
Words: 280 - Pages: 2
...Criminal Acts and Choices Criminal Acts and Choices Choice Theory gives us an explanation of motivation which is different from what many people have been taught. An aspect of Choice Theory is the belief that we are internally, not externally motivated. Other theories suggest that certain events that happened in life cause people to behave in certain ways; Choice Theory teaches that these events do not make people do anything. Peoples behaviors are internally developed feelings of what is most important and satisfying to them. People have ideas of how they would like things to be. People want to be connected with other people and achieve the same things that their neighbor does. Choice theory is exactly what it says, people have to make a choice on their own as the how they will behave and what standards they will hold themselves to. No amount of law can make a person do something that they do not want to do each individual has to make that choice for themselves. Southern California psychiatrist William Glasser, the author of Reality Therapy, believes that almost all human misery is caused by people trying to control others. He says, “the only behavior we can control is our own; by the same token, no one can make us do anything we don't want to. It's only when we give up spending our energy trying to force others to conform to our ideas or to keep them from doing the same to us that we are able to live the way we want to.”( William Glasser) Choice theory...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
...Criminal Justice System Stephanie Rigby CJA/204 March 11, 21013 Ray Cueller Criminal Justice System * For the first assignment in this course – Introduction to Criminal Justice – as students we have been asked to define crime, its relationship to the law, and the two most common models of how society determines which acts are criminal. Further, it is required to describe our governments’ configuration as it applies to the criminal justice system, identify theories, and assumptions of the system and the criminal justice processes. Given this task, the description of justice system goals and my own thoughts if the criminal justice system is truly a system should be included. Following review of our text materials and subsequent research, there are some conclusions that can be approximated. The definition of crime would be any forbidden action that may be prosecuted by the state and is a punishable offense by law. As previously noted in discussion forums, crime cannot exist without laws. Without a law prohibiting a criminal act, or rather a forbidden activity, any act would be considered legal. Even in the Cji Interactive Multi-Media web link provided in the course materials, the media videos conclude that without law – an individual rule as part of a system – anything and everything would be legal. Due to morality, a system has been established that regulates communities by a regulatory authority. According to our text by Frank Schmalleger, this system has...
Words: 827 - Pages: 4
...Criminal Acts and Choices Paper Your Name Here CJA/204 University of Phoenix Criminal Acts and Choices Over the years there have been several different schools of theory which have been developed with the intent of explaining and understanding criminal behavior. These schools of theory include sociological, biological, psychobiological, psychological, classical, social process, emergent, and conflict. There are a variety of factors which play a role in determining what is considered criminal activity. Several factors within social, political, and economic inequities have had a roll in creating conflict within society which has led to criminal activities. As a part of the human development process, failed self-direction, an absence of “normal” opportunities, association with defective individuals, inadequate social roles as well as social organization and disorganization are a variety of factors which have led to individuals engaging in what is considered criminal activities. Some theorists say that criminal behavior derives from psychobiological factors such as hormones and human DNA; while others point to inappropriate behavioral conditioning as a contributing factor to criminal activity. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries a classical school of crime causation dominated criminology. Prior to classical theories, superstitious beliefs and mysticism explained the reasoning for deviance. The classical school recognized rationality...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
...Criminal Acts and Choices Tamara Manning CJA/204 June 16, 2012 Criminal Acts and Choices “Choice theories state that the decision to commit (or refrain from) crime is an exercise of free will based on the offender’s efforts to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.” Choice theories are perspectives on crime causation that states that criminality is the aftermath of conscious choices made by people. There are four basic theories that are considered: Psychological positivism, biological, positivism, rational choice, and sociological positivism. These theories rely on logic to explain why people commit crimes and whether a criminal act is the result of a rational decision, internal predisposition or external aspects. A multitude of factors are considered to play roles in criminal activity. Social, political, and economic inequities, for instance, may create conflict within society. Human development, an absence of “normal” opportunities, failed self-direction, and inadequate social roles, association with defective individuals, or social organization and disorganization may also pave the road to criminal activity. Some theorists say that criminal behavior derives from psychobiological factors such as human DNA or hormones; others say inappropriate behavioral conditioning or a diseased mind contributes to criminal activity. Regardless of the reasons behind crime, this is a very real...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
...Criminal Acts and Choice response 12/12/2012 Criminal Acts and Choice response The term choice theories better yet known as rational choice theories were developed by DR William Glasser in 1995. In Doctor Glasser’s theories he explains human desire to satisfy their genetic needs one has in order to survive. These desires cause humans to make conscious choices and act upon them in any way they decide to ensure the needed desires are satisfied. These theories relate to criminal activity because criminals feel that crime is their only way of fulfilling these desires. The need to survive is a primal instinct shared by all humans. When a person breaks a law, their offense becomes criminal and this affects society through costly trials, the need for more corrections, and housing; thus impacting the economy in a negative way. Not everyone develops negative ways to survive, however everyone makes conscious decisions to ensure their own and family survival. What sets the criminal apart from good people is that they will commit crimes such as theft to finance their survival while law abiders chose to work for it. Out of the basic desires described by Doctor Glasser, I would say that connecting and belonging go hand-in-hand. When one connects, is means for one to associate with someone in a personal, professional, and emotional way. The feeling of belonging with another person or group is what comes after the connection is made. It is a popular belief that criminals commit...
Words: 336 - Pages: 2
...Checkpoint: Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response CJS/200 June 7, 2013 To understand choice theories, and how they relate to crime, one must first understand from what perspective the theories originate. The Classical School approach to criminology, prevalent in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, states that “…free will and reasonable punishments…” emphasize crime causation; and that, “…punishment, if it is to be an effective deterrent, has to outweigh the potential pleasure derived from criminal behavior” (Schmalleger, 2011, p. 81). One contemporary theory rooted in the Classical School approach, is the neoclassical criminology perspective, which places emphasis on rationality and cognition (Schmalleger, 2011). Central to this perspective is the rational choice theory, which states that offenders choose to commit crimes when they believe the benefit outweighs the cost or punishment. Take, for example, a person in financial despair unable to buy food. That person may rationalize that satisfying their needs by stealing outweighs the cost of the punishment. The choice theories affect society by enforcing laws and punishments to attempt to deter criminal acts, and simultaneously to discourage others in society from attempting them. There are two common models for society to determine what acts are considered criminal. The crime-control model, also referred to as Packer’s crime-control model, emphasizes the, “…efficient arrest and conviction of criminal offenders”...
Words: 421 - Pages: 2
...Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. Colorado and Washington State to add marijuana use to 2012 ballot. Health Inspector, Set of 8 Goals. The police represent the largest and most visible segment of the criminal justice system. As organized agents of law enforcement and peacekeeping, police officers are charged with the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of criminal offenders, the defense of constitutional guarantees, the resolution of community conflicts, the protection of society, and the promotion and preservation of civil order. They have often been referred to as a “thin blue line” between order and anarchy in modern society. Police brutality exerts a heavy toll on society, as each year officers and citizens alike are injured or killed during violent confrontations. Such incidents can invite expensive lawsuits against agencies and generate feelings of mistrust among the public, often costing law enforcement the cooperation of those they are under oath to protect and serve. Although the Supreme Court and the Kerner Commission brought police violence to public attention during the 1960s, the subject had long been the focus of rigorous study. As western America became more populated and more lawless, the sheriff evolved into an active agent of...
Words: 350 - Pages: 2
...Checkpoint: Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Oval Campbell CJ200 Martin Nealeigh November 30, 2013 Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. Post your response as an attachment. The common models that societies use to determine which acts are considered criminal are based in basic human rights. We unconsciously know that dreadful crimes such as murder are essentially wrong. Yet the concept of having the God given right to pursue happiness and our desires must have a limit. So in general, laws reflect respect for others rights as well, ensuring that we can all both pursue our personal happiness without impinging on our neighbors’ rights. In order to promote law enforcement, one of two models is usually chosen. In the centralized model, one or two agencies work in tandem to perform street enforcement, traffic duty, and criminal investigation. In the regionalized model police departments, sheriffs, and constables handle the duties of patrol and traffic, while a separate state department performs investigation. Sensible Choice Theory: The sensible choice theory explains why some people choose to commit crime. In its most basic form, the concept is that people will commit crimes if they are given the motive...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
...Check-Point: Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. The common models that societies use to determine which acts are considered criminal are based in basic human rights. We instinctively know that heinous crimes such as murder are fundamentally wrong. Yet the concept of having the God given right to pursue happiness and our desires must have a limit. So in general, laws reflect respect for others rights as well, ensuring that we can all both pursue our personal happiness without encroaching on our neighbors rights. In order to promote law enforcement, one of two models are usually chosen. In the centralized model, one or two agencies work in tandem to perform street enforcement, traffic duty, and criminal investigation. In the decentralized model the duties of patrol and traffic are handled by police departments, sheriffs, and constables, while investigation is performed by a separate state department. Rational Choice Theory: The rational choice theory describes why some people choose to commit crime. In its most basic form, the concept is that people will commit crimes if they are given the motive, opportunity, and the risk of being caught or punished is minimal or is outweighed by the circumstances. The motivation...
Words: 400 - Pages: 2
...Criminal Acts and Choices Victoria Hopkins University of Phoenix Society uses common models to determine what a criminal act is. The Justice System has two models: Consensus Model and Conflict Model. The consensus model is used by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and it shows that the majority of society shares the same values and beliefs. This model works on the assumption that when people form as a society they will have the same morals and beliefs. They come to an agreement of what are the general norms and values. According to the Consensus Model, crime is anything that goes against the values and beliefs of society and is considered damaging to society. Any individual who performs an action that goes against these values and beliefs are considered a threat to society and need to be punished. Deviant behavior is controlled and prevented by the laws that society passes. The Conflict Model is the model used to determine the content of criminal law. This model is determined by those that hold economic, political, and social power within the community. What is believed to be criminal activity is determined by whichever one of these groups hold the power. Each segment of society (social class, income, age, and race), will have different value systems and shared norms. Each of the society segments is in a constant struggle to have the power in society. There are groups that do not have a political access to the power and so what their interest are, they are not served...
Words: 836 - Pages: 4
...Crime Theories The choice theory has an important role to play when considering the reasons leading to a criminal activity. This theory has its own importance while creating strategies for controlling or reducing crime. For this, it is important to understand the theory and how it affects the possibility of someone taking part in criminal activity and how an attempt to control crime would take place under choice theory. Choice theory has derived from the works of early theorists, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. The Choice Theory obviously affects how society would deter criminal acts. The choice theory of criminology is also known as the classical theory. The fundamental concepts of this theory are that people select all behavior, including criminal behavior. People's choices can be controlled by many factors such as the fear of punishment or the benefits which are attained by doing the crime or an illegal activity. So it implies that the more severe, certain, and swift the punishment, the greater is the possibility to control criminal behavior. The choice theory in relation to criminology, states about punishment, and its effects on criminal behavior. According to choice theory, punishment should have four main objectives. The first and the most important is to prevent all criminal offenses. The second objective is that when it cannot prevent a crime, it should persuade the offender to commit a lesser crime. The third objective is to ensure that a criminal uses no more force...
Words: 1082 - Pages: 5
...Criminal Justice System Paper Introduction In the field of Criminal Justice in America it is important to explore the parts of the criminal justice systems and the processes that occur. Many of the parts and processes in the Criminal Justice System shall be discussed in this work. Crime will be defined in relation to the law. Models of how society views acts as criminals will be reviewed. Choice theories will also be revealed in this work. The Instruments and government structure in relation to criminal justice shall be reviewed as well in this paper Criminal justice is exciting to review. Crime What is crime? Crime has an important definition with an important relation to the law. Crime is not defined by any one individual. It is important to explore what crime is defined as in society. Crime is, conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction, for which there is no legally acceptable justification or excuse. There is no justifying or excusing these acts (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 7). Crimes definition plays a major role in determining which acts are criminal as well as the models that are presented. Government Structure The government is structured in such a way as to support the Criminal Justice System in America. The first part of that structure is the Constitution. The Constitution outlines laws, freedoms and power to several governmental agencies. Government first plays a role in making laws. Then insure enforcement...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Criminal Acts and Choice Paper James Hankerson CJ4/204 October 19, 2011 Lyndsey Hix Criminal Acts and Choice Paper There is not one answer to why crime happens. Every day criminals makes choices whether to commit a crime or not, and they are not thinking about the consequences that follows. In cities and communities crime has grown enormous to new highs, since the economy is down and the poverty level is up. There’s many reasons why so much crime is happening, but the poverty level is one of the main reasons, with people losing their jobs, losing their homes, and don’t have the financial resources to feed their families make individuals seek other alternatives. Theorists have worked long hard hours to find clarifications that allow a nonviolent, noncriminal individual to understand what goes on in the heart, mind, body, and soul of a criminal. In this paper the questions that would be explained are, describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. I’ll list, and describe the common model in how society determines is considered to be criminal and how it impacted by choice theories of crime. Choice Theories and how they relate to Crime? We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives (Glasser, 2009). Choice theory is described also known as the rational theory is the idea that people tend to make choices in a way that maximizes advantages while minimizing cost (Wisegeek, 2011). There are two main theories in...
Words: 833 - Pages: 4
...Criminal Justice System CJA/204 Crime is an omission or act which violates laws that results to punishment of an individual. The specific omissions or acts that constitute a crime are determined by the governmental bodies from the area you live. At any given time you will most likely be subject to three sets of laws. Defined is the first set federal statute. Outlined by the state government where you live is the second set. The third set is laws enacted by local government. If conflict ever arises in local rule or state in federal law generally federal law will control. The crime or offense level will usually be set from how sever the crime. Paying a fine to being incarceration can be the range of punishment. Law means a set of rules, regulations and principles by following which the society runs. Before you can be punished for the conduct most crimes require that you complete an affirmative act. Relationship between crime and law is without the strict enforcement of the law crime cannot be prevented. The two most common models on how society determines what acts are criminal are Due Process Model and Crime Control Model. Due Process highlights rights of a group of people and an individual’s right. Courts, quality, formality and individualization are the important issues that ensure the respect of due process. Crime Control is the efficient maintenance for safety of a community. Police, quantity, informality, and standardization are considered important...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6
