The Nature of Crime

Understanding Crime and Victimization

Question:

What Causes Crime?

Five Theories

Why does crime occur?

Because they want to: Choice Theory

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Choice Theory

• People choose to commit a crime after weighing the potential costs and benefits

• Example: Drug dealing– Benefit: large profit, prestige, power, drugs– Potential cost: apprehension, punishment, loss of

power

Choice Theory

• According to “Choice Theory,” punishment must be strict, sure and swift to outweigh any benefits of the crime– People will not choose crime if they fear

punishment (costs)– Assumes that all criminals exhibit rationality and

make choices

Why does crime occur?

Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological Theory

Biological Theory:(Biochemical, Neurological, and Genetic)

• Linking physical traits (at birth or soon after) with tendencies toward violence, aggression, and anti-social behavior

• Example: Low birth weight babies– Low birth weight Poor educational

achievement Delinquency

Biochemical Factors

• Antisocial behavior could be linked to:• Improper diet• High levels of sugar and caffeine• Environmental contaminants• Hormonal imbalance• Hypoglycemia

ABNORMAL levels of organic/inorganic substances could influence behavior

Neurological Factors

• Abnormal Electroencephalograms (EEGs)• Hostile, nonconforming, impulsive behavior

• Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)• Explosive rage

Genetic Factors

• Twin studies– Monozygotic (identical) vs. Dizygotic (fraternal) of

the same sex– Adopted children: If behavior runs parallel with

biological parents (especially father)

Why does crime occur?

Because they want to: Choice TheoryBecause they’re different: Biological TheoryIt’s in their heads: Psychological Theory

Psychological Theory

• Linking psychological abnormality to criminal behavior

• Psychological views of crime are divided into four major areas

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Freudian• Damage that occurs in childhood causes an

imbalance in later life• Neurotic: extremely anxious and fear that impulse may

break through their personality• Psychotic: primitive impulses have broken through and

control personality• Little evidence exists that mentally ill people are any

more criminal than mentally sound people

Behavioral Theory

• Behavior is learned through interactions with others– Social Learning Theory• Modeling behavior after violent adults and reinforced

by peers

Cognitive Theory

• How people perceive and mentally represent the world– Moral development theory• Distinguishing between right and wrong• Criminals lack ability to make moral judgments

The Psychopath

• Criminal behavior as a function of a disturbed personality– Fail to learn from mistakes– Not deterred by punishments– Incapable of caring for others– Abnormally low level of anxiety– Thrill seekers; repeat offenders (serial

murderers/rapists)

Why does crime occur?

• Because they want to: Choice Theory• Because they’re different: Biological Theory• It’s in their heads: Psychological Theory• Society is the real culprit: Sociological

Theories

Social Structure Theory

• United States is stratified– Disorganized neighborhoods– Deviant Values and Cultures– Strain

Social Process Theory

• People commit crimes as a result of socialization

• Family» Severe discipline, lacking warmth

• School» Tracking, labeling » Deviant peers» High school dropouts

Why does crime occur?

• Because they want to: Choice Theory• Because they’re different: Biological Theory• It’s in their heads: Psychological Theory• Society is the real culprit:Sociological Theories• It’s Political: Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory

• Economic and political forces cause criminality– Criminal law and justice system control the poor– Powerful and rich impose their morality on the

entire society• Theft of $500 property by a poor person is punished

more severely than the misappropriation of millions by a large corporation

Other Theories

• It’s a matter of development: Integrated Theories

• It’s how you live: Victimization Theories