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Why People Commit Crime

Why People Commit Crime. Maybe it’s. By Charles Feer Department of Criminal Justice Bakersfield College. What is a Crime. Social definition: Behavior that violates the “norms” of society. “Antisocial Behavior”

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Why People Commit Crime

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  1. Why People Commit Crime Maybe it’s By Charles FeerDepartment of Criminal JusticeBakersfield College

  2. What is a Crime • Social definition: • Behavior that violates the “norms” of society. “Antisocial Behavior” • “Norm” is any standard regarding what human beings should or should not do, think or say.

  3. Crime Defined • There is no uniform code of morality accepted by all of society. • Examples: Attitudes regarding gambling, prostitution, abortion, homosexual behavior.

  4. Crime Defined cont. • Legal definition: • An act or failure to act when required to do so, that is a violation of the criminal law, committed without defense or excuse and penalized by the government.

  5. Anti-social behavior that has been legislated as behavior that can be punished. What is a crime?

  6. What is a Theory? • Part of an explanation; of • A statement about a relationship between two classes of phenomena; which • Provides a better understanding.

  7. A Criminal Theory • Explains why or how certain things are related to criminal behavior. • Some theories assume that crime is a part of human nature. • Such theories explain how human nature is related to crime.

  8. Types of Theories Classical Biological Psychological Social – Psychological Conflict Phenomenological We have no idea why

  9. Classical / Free Will • Crime is caused by the individual exercise of free will. • Prevention is possible through swift and certain punishment. • Punishment offsets the gain from the crime.

  10. Lack of Punishment • When the gains are greater than the punishment. • Example: Community Service

  11. Biological • “Criminal Genes” • “Chromosomes”“X” and “Y” Patterns • Criminals are identified through physical characteristics or genetic composition. • Treatment is thought to be ineffective, but aggression may be usefully redirected.

  12. Psychological • Crime is the result of negative early childhood experiences or the product of a desire to be caught. • Treatment necessitates extensive therapy.

  13. Social - Psychological • Crime results from the failure of self-direction or inadequate social roles. • Treatment requires strengthened “self” concepts.

  14. Conflict • Crime is a natural consequence of Social, Political and Economic inequities. • The “Haves vs. Have Nots”

  15. Learning theory: The passing on of information and custom. A person becomes a criminal dependent upon “the company they keep.” Learning includes: Techniques of committing the crime. Specific direction of motives, drives, rationalization and attitudes. Differential Association

  16. Phenomenological • The source of criminal behavior is unknown, but available through case studies and detailed description of deviant life-styles. • Treatment requires a total reorientation of the offender.

  17. “I didn’t think I’d get caught.”

  18. We Have No Idea Why

  19. Five General Types of Punishment used in the U.S. • Fines • Probation • Intermediate Sanctions • Imprisonment • Death

  20. My Theory • Blame it all on rock and roll. Chosen One Complicated Shadows Blood is Thicker

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