Theories of Crime Paper for Criminal Justice Class - Coursework Example

Crime Theory Crime Theory Crime is a major problem in the world today (Akers and Seller, 2008). This is particularly evident from the fact that a day rarely passes without news of a criminal activity being reported in one part of the world. The U.S. is one of the countries that have experienced one of the worst criminal activities in recent years (Akers and Seller, 2008). One such is the terrorist attacks on the World Trade center in 9/11 that left several people injured and property worth billions of dollars destroyed. Another incidence of recent time was witnessed in Connecticut when a student mercilessly shot dead his fellow students. In addition, the U.S. just witnessed a bomb explosion at Boston Marathon that took place on the 15 April 17, 2013 leaving three people dead and scores others injured. However, many people have not understood exactly what motivates people to commit a crime. For example, it is very difficult to understand why someone would opt to be a suicide bomber. Nonetheless, several theories have been put forward that attempts to explain what drives individuals to committing criminal acts. Some of the theories include biological, psychological, and social theories of crime among others. This paper will examine the three theories of crime in light of their assumptions and empirical status. The paper will then apply the theories to the white family as portrayed in the movies “the Wild and the Wonderful Whites of West Virginia.” Biological theory of crime The biological theories of crime are based on the notion that an individual’s physical body, through evolutionary factors, inherited genes, roles of hormones, and the brain structure, has an influence on the person’s involvement in a criminal act. The theory was advanced by Cesare Lombroso who believed that certain criminals are born so because they inherit the criminal behaviors from their parents due to genetic makeup. In fact, several researches have attempted to prove that certain crimes are committed for biological reasons. Nevertheless, it has not been easy to ascertain that a certain crime has been committed because of biological reasons (Marsh, 2006). This theory suggest that certain biological factors such as low serotonin activity, neurological deficit, malnutrition, some genes and environmental pollutants may induce an individual to commit a crime. Based on the five pillars through which an individual may be induced to criminal behavior biologically, genetic influence has been the most discussed. In this regard, it is argued that crime can be hereditary, meaning that it can be transferred from a mother to a child or from father to a child in case one of the parents has been a criminal before. This is because the child may get the genetic code from the parents thereby making them to inherit the criminal personality (Marsh, 2006). This theory of crime has been widely explained using depression and schizophrenia disorders. In this regard, psychologists claim that only those who have biological concerns in their minds that normally suffer from schizophrenia and depression. This has been proven in many individuals suffering from these disorders who have stated that they have had biological issues before experiencing the problems. Research has also proved that people suffering from depression and schizophrenia can easily be treated using drugs, which puts cells of the brain in the right order (Cunningham, 2006). Assumptions of biological theory of crime The most common assumption of the biological theory of crime is that an individual’s physical attributes can make one become a criminal. As earlier stated, this assumption holds that the physical attributed can be hereditary transferred from a parent to a child. Therefore, a parent who has criminal personality will easily transfer the criminal personality to the child thereby making the child become more at risk of developing criminal behaviors. It is worth pointing out that this is the most common assumption used in explaining the criminal behaviors of an individual under this school of thought (Akers and Seller, 2008). Psychological theory of crime Psychological theory of crime is based on several perspectives as regards causes of crime. The most fundamental of this theory is that which examines the correlation between crime, social factors, and individual personality, developmental and cognitive factors, which are also the basic assumptions of the theory. According to the psychological theory of crime, criminal behavior is a consequence of individual factors such as inadequate socialization and negative childhood experience, which results in criminal thinking (Bartol, 2002). The theory also suggests that parents play a vital role in shaping a child’s life as regards their likelihood of engaging in criminal acts. The factors looked at here; include child-rearing practices, abuse, neglect, parent’s criminal behavior, supervision, and attachment (Bartol, 2002). According to this theory, a child who is not brought up in an upright manner is likely to become a criminal because of the poor upbringing. In fact, this is a widely accepted the argument since majorities of children who are poorly brought up by their parents are most likely to involve in behaviors that may drive them to criminal activities. With regard to abuse, psychological theory of crime states that an individual who happen to have abused during his or her childhood is likely to engage in a criminal activity because of the criminal thinking. This is because they may end up thinking of taking revenge thereby resulting in criminal behavior (Bartol, 2002). Neglect is also another factor that has been identified by the psychologists as a cause of criminal behavior among individuals. This is because a child who has been neglected may find it hard coping up with life thereby forcing him or her to revert to criminal acts as a way of making ends meets. In fact, a study has shown that a majority of criminals either cite having been neglected by their parents making life difficult. Therefore, the only option is usually to engage in criminal activities such as robbery in order to get money with which to buy food and other basic needs (Andrews and James, 1994). Based on the above examples, it becomes apparent that an individual showing psychological instances of criminal manners, had problems during their childhood days. This is because negative childhood experience causes psychological trauma that makes an individual to develop criminal behaviors. This explanation has been supported by other researches, which has shown that children who have not had negative experiences during their childhood rarely develop criminal behaviors. This is based on their positive upbringing by their parents (Andrews and James, 1994). Ted Bundy, the most notorious serious killer of all time are a perfect example of psychopath. Bundy was convicted of having killed close to 30 victims by the time of his arrest and execution. Reports indicate that Bundy used his handsome appearance to lure his victims who he later murdered without showing sympathy. In fact, he even went ahead and slept with his victims after killing them. Findings have showed that Tend Bundy had poor childhood experience, which might have induced him to criminal behavior (Andrews and James, 1994). The psychological theory of crime is based on the following five fundamental assumptions: Every person is known to be the principal unit analysis. Personality is the main motivating element inside an individual since it is considered the seat for rides. In an individual’s personality is dictated by the negative processes such as dysfunctional, abnormality or poor mental state, after which a crime results. Normality is outlined by society’s agreement, which is perceived very fundamental to the society. Crime is condemned by a group of society. According to the psychological theory of crime, abnormal, mental, or defective nature is caused by a number of factors namely: Improper learning Adaptation of problems existing inside Ego inculcation Broken homes, which affect upbringing of a child Mind suffering from diseases. Sociological theory of crime The sociological theories of crime are three folds namely the social strain, social learning, and self-control theories. The strain theory of crime claims that people are normally induced into criminal behaviors as a means of escaping the strain of bad experience. In other words, this theory suggests that people engage in crime as a means of solving their problems. One such classical example is where a person experiencing financial difficulties may resort to stealing which is in itself a criminal act so as to reduce the financial burden (Law, 2009). In fact, many criminals have engaged in such criminal acts just to reduce their financial burden. Another is where an individual may resort to the use of illegal drugs such as heroin, bhang, and cocaine just to feel good, thereby providing them with a means with which to escape pressures they are undergoing in their daily lives. These two examples certainly drive an individual to criminal activities (Law, 2009). According to this theory, failure to obtain money, respect and self-satisfactions call all result in criminality. In this regard, the theory claims that when an individual is experiencing strain, such individuals will most likely feel bad thereby generating anxiety, which drives them to criminal behavior. Second it the social learning theory, which claim that individual, learn by observing the behaviors of others. The observations can be through either behaviors or attitudes. Therefore, the social learning theory postulates that criminals normally engage in crime simply because they learn the criminal behaviors by associating with other criminals. This implies that a person who associates much with criminals is likely to be introduced into the criminal activity by the criminals. This is because, through association, an individual begins to believe that a crime is a good thing, thereby making them also to begin committing crime themselves (Net Industries, 2009). The theory identifies three methods through which a person can learn criminal behaviors namely belief, differential enforcement and modeling. The illegal usage of drugs is one such area where the theory has been applied. For instance, a destitute juvenile who hails in the neighborhood exposed to drug trafficking activities while most likely observe drug dealers flashing huge sums of money, leaving flashy lifestyle and driving good cars. As a result, the juvenile will be made to believe that dealing in illegal drugs is a good thing to do since it relieves one from poverty. This will see the juvenile begin selling drugs himself even though it is an illegality (Net Industries, 2009). Psychologists suggest that cognitive restructuring can be employed in such a situation as a way of reducing criminal thoughts and behaviors. This is because cognitive restructuring will help such individuals recognize their own thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs. As a result, such individual will most likely avoid engaging in criminal activities (Net Industries, 2009). Social control theory is the third branch of the sociological theory of crime. According to social control theory, a person is likely to engage in criminal activity because of its gratification effects on the individual. Minnesota Cognitive Behavioral Network (2002) reveals that such behaviors normally result in criminality. An example is stealing a vehicle just to joy ride it. Such an individual is considered selfish since he or she steals merely for pleasure. Empirical Evidence Empirical Evidence for Biological Theory Research indicates that sober genetic code together with neurotransmitter dysfunctions does contribute to criminal behaviors in different parts of the world. Evidence shows that quite a number of inmates in the U.S. jails had different minds. As a result, many researchers have come to a conclusion that certain metal problems do make people to engage in criminal activities. According to one research, about 23% of all inmates were some form of mental disorders, which contribute to biological deficiencies in their minds (Akers and Seller, 2008). Empirical Evidence of Psychological Theory Research has shown that psychological effects can contribute to criminal behaviors. Evidence has particularly shown the individuals suffering from depression and schizophrenic disorders are more likely to commit crime. This led to the emergence of the relative study. The recent study conducted on the child who shot his fellow students showed that the young boy was suffering from psychological disorders in his mind. The same was found with Ted Bundy the serial killer whom investigations showed that he was suffering from psychological disorders, which drove him to killing (Englander, 2007). Empirical Evidence of Sociological Theory Regarding sociological theory, evidence has shown that social effects make individuals to engage in criminal activities. For instance, evidence has shown that some people opt to stealing as a means of relieving themselves from strain of life experience. At the same time, evidence has shown that quite a number of people who are incarcerated in the U.S. jails learned the criminal acts from others which leading to their arrest. This has particularly been noticed among inmates of illegal drug trafficking (Zembroski. 2011). The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia This classical movie helps in explain the three theories discussed above. The movie basically begins with the story of Dorsey White who happens to be the central character in the movie. In this regard, the movie takes us to how she was shot on the face by her neighbor during an argument. Despite the fact that the gunshot was unintentional, White is killed on the spot thereby generating a flurry of violence in White’s family. In this regard, it is seen that the death of White is what triggered violence in her family. This form of violence can be attributed to social factors, since it social factor within the family that triggered the violence (Nitzberg, 2009). Subsequently, we realize that the biological deficiency in White’s lineage is what contributed to the spread of crime in the family and its neighborhoods. This can be seen through the role played by Billy Hastings in the spread of violence in the family. Psychological factors are also well explained in the movie through revenge strategies of White for the death of their forefathers. The avengement is certainly because of psychological effects of crime (Nitzberg, 2009). References Akers, R.L., & Seller, C.S. (2008). Criminological theories: Introduction, evaluation and application (5th edn). Los Angeles: Roxbury. Andrews, D., & James, B. (1994). The Psychology of Criminal Conduct. Cincinnati: Anderson. Bartol, C. (2002). Criminal Behaviour: A Psychological Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Cunningham, M. (2006). Self-control crime theory. Retrieved February 9, 2009, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/53216/self_control_crime_theory.html?cat=17. Englander, E. (2007). Understanding Violence (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Law, R. (2009). Sociological theories - social learning theory. Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/815/Crime-Causation-Sociological-Theories-Social-learning-theory.html Marsh, I. (2006). Theories of crime. Abingdon: Rutledge Minnesota Cognitive Behavioral Network. (2002). Benefits & outcomes of cognitive-behavioral programming. Retrieved from http://www.maccac.org/Offender_Programs/MN_Cog_Net/MN_Cog_Behavior_Net.htm#Benefits_and_Outcomes_of_Cognitive-Behavioral_Programming. Net Industries. (2009). Crime causation: sociological theories - strain theory. Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/814/Crime-Causation-Sociological-Theories-Strain-theory.html. Nitzberg, J. (2009), The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (Trailer) (YouTube). Tribecafilm, retrived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q6G_WqLp1w. Zembroski, D. 2011). Sociological theories of crime and delinquency. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 21:240-254. Read More