The Nature of CrimeUnderstanding Crime and Victimization

Question:

What Causes Crime?

Five Theories

Why does crime occur?

Because they want to: Choice Theory

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