Major Theories of Crime Causation - Essay Example

?Major Theories of Crime Causation Major Theories of Crime Causation Various units contain a number of theories that try to explain the causes of crime in the society. The theories have been developed to have an in-depth understanding of the crime and how best they can be addressed to ensure that humans live in a conducive environment. These units and theories have been around and in use from as early as the twentieth century. Over the years, theorists and researchers have engaged their minds in trying to find answers and possibly cab the high level of crime that the world faces today (Siegel, 2010). Many of the theories developed give varying analytical statistics on the causes that lead people to commit crimes; right from common crimes to high profile criminal offenses; this study aims at discussing two theories, one from choice theories and the other from trait theories. Throughout the discussion, details will be given in support of why crimes according to the two theories under study. The study and practice of criminology investigates matters regarding crime causation and the aspects that influence unlawful delinquency. There are various theories under the umbrella of choice theories of crime, which explain factors that highly influence or cause people, to engage in criminal activities. These theories rely on login while trying to elucidate why an individual commits a crime and whether the criminal act emanates from lucid decision, interior tendency or peripheral traits. These theories influence how the law and the judicial system is structured and the functions entitled to it. Rational theory Under the choice theory, it is important to discuss the rational theory and its contribution in understanding the causes of crime among individuals in the society. Regarding the trait theory, oppositional defiant disorder as a theory of interest will answer the most underpinning questions regarding cause of crime. The rational choice theory undertakes a practical conviction, which affirms that man is an intellectual personality who examines resources and ends, comprising expenses and profits after which an individual makes a coherent choice. Developed by Cornish, this theory aimed at assisting the thoughts about situational crime prevention. In view of this theory, an assumption is made which relays that crime is a purposive conduct created or designed to meet the reprobate`s commonplace needs; money, status, sex, and excitement. Meeting these necessities encompasses the making of elementary conclusions and choices. Key elements in this theory reveal various critical issues important for understanding the causes of crime. Studies indicate that this theory relates to the previous drift theory; people employ techniques of counterbalancing to drift in and out of delinquent behavior. Further still, there is a proposal that failure by families and extended kin groups has the effect of expanding the realm of relationships that are not under the control of the community. Thus, this further undermines governmental controls, which leads to persistent systematic crime and delinquency. Such kind of ineptitude causes and stresses social customs and social struggles, which sustain disruptive activity (Cullen, 2010). Concerning this theory, for a misconduct to transpire, three essentials must be available; an inspired lawbreaker, an obtainable and appropriate target, and no power figure to impede the offense from taking place. The theory relates the pattern of offending to daily patterns of social interaction; where in the 1980s, women left homes to work and tis led to social disintegration. This was a repetitive of parting families unattended and with lack of authority character augmented probabilities of unlawful activity. The theory has key assumptions that relate to the offender and crimes, where the offender sees himself or herself as individual. Thus, persons have to exploit their objectives since they are self-centered. In many occasions, offenders think about themselves and they only dwell on how to advance their personal agenda or goals. Since a human being is a rational actor, where rationality involves ends and means, it includes also calculations (Goodwin, 2005). In line with this people tend to choose freely behavior, both conforming and deviant basing on the rational calculations they made prior to their choosing behavior patterns. This means that the rational choices are very important in determining how an individual behaves over a long period. This is because the rational choices are part and parcel of the individual`s life in terms of survival. It is understood that the central element of calculation concerning this matter involves a cost benefit analysis; this is where a choice has to be arrived between pleasure and pain. Fundamentally, when all other circumstances are the same, the choice made will be moved towards the intensification of a person`s preference; at this point perception and understanding of potential pain or punishment involved following the choice made, controls the very choice prioritized. Studies reveal that lucid choice sprung from older and more investigational groups of theoretical contiguous of experiential verdicts of various technical examinations related to the mechanisms of human nature. This theory borrows concepts of economics to emphasize on non-contributory motives for crime basing on the limited and more bounded nature of the lucid process associated with the theory. Trait theory: Behavioral theory These theories target the classification of how people behave within social circles and the society. Criminologists use these theories to describe why and how criminals behave in a particular way. In view of these theories, possession or not possession of certain characteristics implies some mental problems or personal disorders. Even though some of these traits may appear at childhood, they continue through adolescence and adulthood leading to individual impaired characters. There are various theories under traits, which are used to explain the causes of criminal engagement among individuals in a society. Behavioral theory views that criminal acts emerges from biological or psychological situations of a person, which manage coping schemes and ultimately leads to criminal behavior; this theory declares that there are common physical traits that are shared by criminals. For instance, it demonstrates criminals on the ground that there are features in a person that could become a criminal. Such distinct features are in the jaw line, teeth, as well as the nose. The view of this theory thus shows that certain individuals were born criminals. In addition, some studies argue that some traits in some people that force them into a life of deviancy; such people are referred to as formerly inferior. Similarities and differences between rational theory and behavioral theory Both theories cause crimes in various people despite the difference in personalities. However, in choice theory, a person under vigilant deliberation chooses crime because it far offsets the options. Under this theory, crime prevention would be a chastisement that is less interesting (Hagan, 2006). This would deter accused criminal from doing or committing the same crime over and over again and also discourage others from endeavoring criminal practices. Therefore, the rational theory is the theoretical school of choice, most suitable when bearing in mind how to lessen and or govern crime. It is most suitable to embrace individuals responsible for actions rather than for their genetic or biochemical temperament. On the other hand, behavioral theory deals with the traits of characteristics of a person in taking part in criminal activities. For instance, as the rational theory shows that a person chooses whether to commit crime or not, the behavioral theory shows that a person to commits crime because of the characters he or she was borne with. In addition, people tend to choose freely behavior, both conforming and deviant basing on the rational calculations they made prior to their choosing behavior patterns. This means that the rational choices are very important in determining how an individual behaves over a long period. However, behavioral theory a person may not be in a position to choose whether to commit a crime or not, but he or she finds themselves taking part in criminal activities because it is hard to control their characters unless they are put under serious consideration. In conclusion, this research paper has discovered that there are numerous units contain a number of theories that try to explain the causes of crime in the world. These units and theories have been around and in use from as early as the twentieth century. Over the years, theorists and researchers have engaged their minds in trying to find answers and possibly cab the high level of crime that the world faces today. Many of the theories developed give varying analytical statistics on the causes that lead people to commit crimes; right from common crimes to high profile criminal offenses. Instances of these models include choice model and characteristic theory. In these theories there are other theories including rational and behavioral theory that the paper has demonstrated clearly how crime occurs. For instance, in rational theory, a person under vigilant deliberation chooses crime because it far offsets the options. An individual`s lifecycle is in such a place that the environments to the crime seems to be worth taking the risk. On the other hand, a person commits a crime because of their behavior they were born with as demonstrated by the behaviors theory under the trait theory. References Cullen, F. (2010). Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences. Boston, CA: SAGE. Goodwin, C. (2005). A History of Modern Psychology 2nd Edition. Hoboken, NY : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Hagan, F. (2006). Introduction to Criminology: Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior. New York, NY: SAGE. Siegel, L. (2010).Criminology: Theories. Boston, CA: Cengage Learning. Read More