Traditonal Theories - Essay Example

Topic: Lecturer: Presentation: Traditional Theories There are various theories that explain why individuals engage in criminal behavior. One of the traditional theories is the ‘demonic perspective’ as put forward by Barak, Leighton & Flavin (94). According to this perspective, criminals are forced to act by evil spirits or supernatural powers. Individuals have no control of their behavior but are possessed and directed. The evil doers were thus severely punished using brutal methods such as torture.

The classical criminologists on the other hand, argued that criminal behavior was as a result of rationalism thereby refuting claims of possession by evil spirits (Barak et al. 95). Criminals thus pursue personal interests by committing crimes. Since criminals are rational, committing crime is a free will. According to Barak et al (95), criminals commit crimes to “maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain”. Crimes were punished through legal reforms which are formal and rational in nature.

The positivist school of thought argue that criminals are forced to act by factors beyond their control such as; biological, psychological and sociological factors thus refuting rationalism as a driver of criminality (Barak et al. 95). The criminals are seen as portraying abnormal behavior and thus punishment is aimed at correcting the behavior to conform to the norms of society. They are thus given reform treatment and social intervention. The last school of thought emphasizes on inequality as the diver of criminal activities.

They thus commit crime to correct the inequalities. Such crimes include activities such as; financial manipulations and robbery. Such conditions are corrected through equitable distribution of resources (96). White-Collar and Organized Crime The traditional theories can be applied to white-collar crimes and organized crimes. These are crimes performed in enterprises by employees, managers and organized groups. They involve such crimes as; fraud, chiseling, influences peddling, and embezzlement.

People positioned in place of authority are driven by greed to commit fraud and embezzle funds (Siegel, 318-328).According to the traditional theories; the individuals thus commit crime because they are rational human beings who aim at achieving their own goals or self interests. They thus use fraudulent contracts, exploitation of suppliers, corruption and embezzle company funds to achieve their objectives. The white-collar crimes may also be necessitated by inequalities in workplace. Some individuals thus engage in crime like taking bribes to disclose company secrets or fraud so as to attain same level as their counterparts.

Sociological orientations may also drive criminals. The corporate culture of tolerance to white-collar crime encourages employees to engage in the crime. For others, they may be driven by biological or psychological factors to commit crime. They just get involved in fraudulent activities due to factors beyond their control such as poor upbringing or psychological disorders. Organized crime involves activities such as; drug peddling, prostitution, pornography, theft, and fraud among other organized crimes (Siegel, 341).

These behaviors can be interpreted by use of traditional theories. The groups are divided into ethnic and regional gangs who come together to attain a given objective be it economic or political (343). As such, the criminals are rational as they join the gang on their own free will to fulfill their interests. Their behavior also emanates from interaction with a criminal society hence are socialized into stealing or other activities. Those who get involved in pornography and theft may have psychological problems.

The best theory that predicts why one would engage in such behaviors is the classical theory whereby individuals act on their own free will to pursue their own interests and maximize pleasure while reducing pain. These criminals are placed in high authority and use their position to influence and achieve their personal or group gains. Some tend to settle their problems by use of criminal means hence they are rational thinkers (Siegel, 329). When one is defrauding the organization or exploiting customers, one is acting on free volition.

Organized crime is also carried out in secretive and protective operations by use of ruthless tactics with an aim of achieving profits hence the individuals are not affected by factors beyond their control or inequalities but due to rationalism (342). Reference Barak, G., Leighton, P., Flavin, J. Class, Race, Gender, and Crime: The Social Realities of Justice in America. USA: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. Siegel, Larry. Criminology: The Core. 4ed. USA: Cengage, 2010.