The Development of Criminological Theories to Explain Crime - Essay Example

? The Development of Criminological Theories to Explain Crime Criminology defines the scientific study of crime, criminal tendenciesand criminals, and behavior. The goal of this study is to establish theories that explain reasons why crime occurs while testing these same theories by observing behavior (Chris 2009, p. 2). “Theory is an activity that is where the action is in contemporary criminology”. This is because these theories get based on specific events. Where the action is, indicates where the event happened. This action is what crime analysts utilize to build their criminology theories, both for preventive and speculative and purposes. Through these theories, one can detect, decipher and prevent criminal activity. Criminologists also know effective crime response strategies based on these models. The theories associated with crime study are distinct and applicable in various scenarios. They describe various courses of occurrences and tell different tales. Some can be used together in combination if the sought after goals become achievable through various avenues. Criminology gets defined as a practice, and it gets perpetrated. Though Criminology gets based on a platform that is theoretical, these theories explain actual events and activities, and indicate the action location or where it is going to be (Ronald 2004, p.14). Three integral parts form the Criminal Justice System. These are the legislature, the adjudication (Courts of Law), and the correctional facilities (jail, juvenile detention centers, prisons, probation and parole). These Criminal Justice System arms work in unison to uphold the rule of law in the community. Those who break the law get absorbed by the system in order to protect the public. Criminal Justice System has matured over the years as a result of the ever varying dynamics of criminology (George 2007, p. 19). With time, crime has gotten complicated and equally so has the criminal justice system due to the continuously changing phenomenon of crime. This has led to massive developments in the criminal justice systems both at home and abroad. The criminal justice system now tries to enhance crime prevention. It cannot be stated enough that preventing crime is stopping crime (George 2007, p. 79). Crime prevention is a crucial goal of the criminal justice system. In a bid to lessen crime occurrence, various measures get taken by the different arms of the justice system. The legislative arm of the state has passed bills that outline undesirable consequences for crime perpetrators (George 2007, p. 69). This acts as a deterrent factor by creating fear among would be criminals and reduces the likelihood of crime occurrence. In recent times, members of the House of Representatives and Senate have been on a campaign to vanquish crime out of their respective areas of jurisdiction. Crime occurrence has since reduced in the United States. Though politics has challenged the passing of criminal laws, significant ground get gained to deter people from involvement in crime due to the tough measures placed and laws passed (George 2007, p. 84). There have been considerable developments in the judicial system, especially the courts, to prevent crime. Different governments make changes upon assuming leadership, especially with regard to heading the courts. This gets done in an attempt to undertake court reforms that will lead to just judgments (Anthony 2008, p. 90). Underhand dealing and graft in the courts to skew judgments, and influence the outcome of trials and court cases, is at its lowest. Proper vetting of holders of judicial offices like judges and District Attorneys lessen the likelihood of a corrupt and unqualified person from assuming office. The courts have to uphold the stiff penalties outlined in the penal code. This means that if found guilty of perpetrating crime, one will surely not go unpunished. These undesirable penalties handed down by the courts also act as deterrent factors against crime. Correctional facilities such as penitentiaries, prisons and jails get charged with the responsibility of administering the sentence passed on by the courts to the criminals. These facilities prevent crime by secluding the criminal elements in order to prevent them from further involvement in crime. This establishes a buffer zone between criminals and the general public hence reducing the chances of crime occurrence (Jeffrey 2011, p.116). Globally, developments in Criminal Justice systems get informed by stands held by the United Nations. The United Nations Congress on Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention, held in Salvador in April 2010 had considerable effect in international policies on prevention of crime, and professional and national practices. The goal was to strengthen crime prevention measures and policies and the world over. The principal avenues of talks in the Crime Congress lingered around highlighting the criminal justice system as a vital pillar in tackling crime (Jeffrey 2011, p.76). Criminology theories are the most accurate ways of crime explanation. They get tested and tried over time to quantify the efficiency. Classical criminology theory defines the crime as a culmination of beliefs that benefits of crime are much greater. In criminology, individuals get torn between two scenarios. Some think that they will eventually be caught, in one scenario. In the other scenario, crime gets thought to be the best choice as one will never be apprehended. Many of the criminals hold the second opinion. People commit crimes only after making a rational choice by looking at the potential costs and benefits of crime (Anthony 2008, p. 167). This theory recognizes that everyone is capable of carrying out crime, only to get deterred by the punishment attracted by the crime. Psychological theories that explain emotional and intellectual development becomes split into three groups. The Social learning criminology theory explains that criminal behavior is to a large margin learned, but the negative effects of biological factors ought not to be excluded. A. Bandura, who put this theory across is of the belief that social learning could either be direct or indirect. Undesirable and desired effects on human character are as a result of direct social learning. Punishment should not be aggressive because corporal punishment is a negative form of character. Indirect social learning gets based on the thought of other people’s character as non desirable or desirable. The various patterns of reward and punishments have different effects on human beings (Anthony 2008, p. 69). The Moral development theory describes the growth and maturity stages all people undergo when gaining the ability to make moral judgments. The development process may be completed or cut short due to a various reasons. When the development process is incomplete, those who are unable to differentiate right from wrong are likely to get entangled in crime and morally decadent behavior (Jeffrey 2011, p.46). The Personality theory gets based on the assumption of a group of tendencies and perceptions that everyone develops through early socialization. This theory fronts that specific tendencies and traits like impulsiveness and extroversion is an indication of possible criminal behavior. People with such traits should be treated to programmes like counseling sessions and consistent scrutiny to monitor the slightest of likelihoods to progression into crime. Biological criminology theory is of the opinion that chromosome aberrations cause crime. Individuals with XYY chromosome syndrome known as the macho men are likely to indulge in criminal activities. Other studies have shown that hormones have an impact on the occurrence of aggression (Chris 2009, p. 102). These studies tested the relationship that exists between testosterone and aggressive behavior. This theory cannot be used to solve the crime because it is baseless and unjustified. Based on the theory of frustrated aggressiveness, criminologists believe that frustration is a leading cause of criminal tendencies. Frustration can be described as a state of utter discomfort as a result of the inability to achieve set goals or find solutions to specific problems (Gottfredson 2001, p. 67). For instance, the inability to graduate has been a source of frustration for many juvenile delinquents. Yale University scholars showed through study that frustration gives forth aggression, and all aggression is as a result of frustration. Frustration can be a source of crime. Aggression prevention can help in the prevention of crime in modern societies. The Social Anomie theory is of the idea that the existence of a huge gap between one’s desires and the ability to attain those desires brings about criminal ideologies. Under this theory, one often questions why he should do socially correct activities, while he is sure of another behavior model that is satisfactory and does not require a lot of effort (Gottfredson 2001, p. 117). An example of the Social Anomie theory would be when one opts to rob rather than to work hard for something. In order to prevent crime indulgence, hard work must be emphasized, so as to reduce the enormous gap that exists between desires and the ability to achieve them. Bibliography Gottfredson, M., 2001, A General Theory of Crime. Stanford. Stanford University Press. George F.Cole, C. E., 2007, Criminal Justice in America. Stamford. Cengage Learning. Ronald L. Akers, C. S., 2004, Criminological Theories:Introduction, Evaluation and Applications. Los Angeles. Ruxbury Publishing Company. Anthony, T., 2008, The Critical Criminology Companion. New York. Hawkins Press. Jeffrey Maas, G. V., 2011, Criminology: Theory, Research, and Policy. New York. Jones Bartlett Publishers. Chris Hale., 2009, Criminology. Oxford. Oxford University Press. Read More