While a few theories are not as regular, others have developed and are utilized as a part of numerous criminal reviews today. Cutting edge criminologists consolidate the most important aspects of sociology, psychology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their comprehension of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory, psychological, biological, and strain theory are used to analyze the
While some theories are not as common, others have evolved and are used in many criminal studies today. Cutting edge criminologists consolidate the most important aspects of sociology, psychology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their comprehension of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory, psychological, biological, and strain theory are used to analyze the facts of Hernandez’s crime. Biological Theory is
Trait Theory: Biological Trait theory categorizes people on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, gender, and their body built. In this case, Mr Obkuku is a built black male, a mesomorph. Well known stereotype that people with darker skin tend to commit more crimes; especially trafficking narcotics and theft.
Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.
Nature vs Nurture After drilling through his victim's skull, he begins to funnel sulfuric acid into the head of a young man who lays an unconscious victim(Serial Killer: Nature vs. Nurture 2020). Creating a zombie-like victim to fill all his twisted fantasies (Serial Killer: Nature vs. Nurture 2020). Within a day this young man was dead and his head was mummified (Serial Killer: Nature vs. Nurture 2020). Walking over to place his newest victim's skull into the freezer next to all the ones that came before him(Serial Killer: Nature vs. Nurture 2020). The remainder of his body was dismembered and placed into acid dissolving what was left of his young victim(Serial Killer: Nature vs. Nurture 2020).
Biological, developmental, and situational perspectives are all critical in influencing criminal behavior. The biological perspective suggests that genetic and neurological factors influence criminal behavior. For example, some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to aggressive behavior or a neurological condition that affects impulse control. This perspective emphasizes the role of biology in shaping behavior. The developmental perspective emphasizes the role of environmental factors, such as upbringing and childhood experiences, in shaping behavior.
The biosocial theory is the thought of a link between biological and physical factors that makes you more or less likely to commit a crime. This theory means the worse conditions you grow up in, the more likely you are to commit a crime. This book contradicts this theory. Dave grew up in the worst of conditions. He was abused daily, mentally and physically by his mother.
The differential association theory has become the most talked about learning theory of deviance. The theory focuses on how individuals can learn to become criminals. The theory does not have concern for why individuals become criminals. Criminology is the knowledge regarding crime and delinquency as a social issue.
Most was derived from the assumption that behaviors such as; criminal and otherwise, are inherited. Which means that criminals are biologically different than non-criminals. One of the earliest explanations was known as Phrenology which was in the mid-1700’s to mid-1800’s, which viewed the shape and size of the brain and skull as determinants of criminal tendencies. The next early positivist explanation for deviance was in 1876, Cesare Lombroso’s theory of “Atavism” and “The Born Criminal” This was the 1st Major Application of this new science to the study of criminals and deviance.
Fifth, the specific direction of motives and drives is learned from definitions of the legal codes as favorable or unfavorable. Sixth, a person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of the law. Seventh, Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. Eighth, the process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all of the mechanisms that are involved in any other learning. Lastly, while criminal behavior is an expression of general needs and values, it is not explained by those needs and values, since non-criminal behavior is an expression of the same needs and values.
I agree with your point on how the Strain Theory shows how America really does push people to do crimes. When you think and it no reasonable person wants their family to go hungry or lack shelter, so they commit crimes to which they believe is there only hope in order to provide some type of living. But, I do think it's more than the economy that pushes people to the streets. I believe it has to do more with the society as a whole that needs to understand why people commit crimes. More so, instead of just being about punishment we need to be more about rehabilitating people rather than punishing people for mostly non-violent
Today, there are proven facts that people who have parents that are criminals have a high chance of becoming criminals themselves. Not only can people become criminals because of their family but they can also become criminals because of the environment that they surround themselves in. This is where nature versus nurture comes into play. A person’s nature is their genetic makeup, basically meaning that a person’s nature is the genes they get from their parents. Also, a person’s genotype, one’s genetic makeup based on the sequencing of the nucleotides we term, provides them with physical traits that set the stage for certain behaviors (56).
Criminal behaviour has always been an interest for psychologists, for they could never quite come to a conclusion between nature and nurture. Research concerning this topic has been organized for many years and due to the never ending debate, is still being conducted. I have decided to read and write about this myself, for I was genuinely curious about the matter and wanted to be a part of the research, as I felt responsible to do so. I believe that in order to stop something, it must be discussed and scrutinized. What effects do genes have on criminal behaviour, why do peer pressure and habitat influence a person to commit crimes and are men really more violent than women?
A theory is a set of statements or principles developed to explain a group of facts or phenomena. It has been repeatedly tested and used to make predictions. Theories in this category attempt to explain why an individual commits a crime or delinquent behaviors. The primary goal of criminological theory is to help one gain an understating of why and how certain things are related to criminal behavior (Bohm and Vogel, 2011). Theories dissect the making and the breaking of the law, criminal different behavior, as well as patterns of criminal activity.
This theory states that a person is born with a master trait or it appears shortly after birth and that a person will start committing crimes at an early age. “That is, if an impulsive personality contributes to delinquency in childhood, it should also cause the same people to offend as adults because personality traits remain stable over the life span” (Siegel, 2007, p. 309). Lincoln Rutledge according to his ex-employer has never committed a crime before this which helps to determine that this could not fall under the latent trait theory and that this theory does a poor job at trying to explain why he committed this
