...Crime Theories CIS 170 Information Technology in Criminal Justice There are many different theories that are related to crime but the main two that I want to talk about is subcultural theory and terrorism and political theory. These two theories caught my eye because these are the main reasons why there are terrorist in this world. The subcultural theory is a set of values, norms, and values that differ from the dominant culture. The book say that the main tenet of the subculture theory is that criminals, including computer criminals, hold values, norms, and beliefs that are in opposite to those held in the dominant culture. These individuals behave in a manner that is consistent with their values, norms, and beliefs, which many times will bring them in conflict with the law. To understand criminal justice, it is necessary to understand crime. Most policy-making in criminal justice is based on criminological theory, whether the people making those policies know it or not. In fact, most of the failed policies in criminal justice are due to misinterpretation, partial implementation, or ignorance of criminological theory. Much time and money could be saved if only policymakers had a thorough understanding of criminological theory. At one time, criminological theory was rather pure and abstract, with few practical implications, but that is not the case anymore. For example, almost all criminologists today use a legalistic rather than normative definition of crime...
Words: 541 - Pages: 3
...Assignment 2: Crime Theories Charles Faust Professor Jesse Witherspoon CIS 170-Information Technology in Criminal Justice 11/3/13 Abstract “In any society the benefits or affluence is not equally distributed and there are individual differences in personality profiles, and different groups are able to cope with strain and therefore psychological, social environmental factors, official crime control methods, values and beliefs, as well psychological factors, biological factors and social factors interact in different degrees on individuals and groups and therefore give birth to the commitment of crime (Fickle p.32).” This in essence is the theory of crime as it is related to today’s world and how I view digital crime. Psychological issues are at the leading forefront for the cause of digital crime. Psychological Theories “There are several psychological theories that have been applied to criminal activity (Taylor p. 39).” I will look at the impact of how moral development and personality disorders have certain effects on crime. Moral development theories allow you to look at the differences that exist between criminals and noncriminal, whereas personalities show that there are specific behaviors that show can lead to crime. Moral Development. Considering the relative influence of nature and nurture in the determination of criminal behavior is obviously crucial. There has been some research that considers the importance of genetic factors and some that considers...
Words: 1092 - Pages: 5
...The biological theory focuses on the way that we are designed according to our genetics. This theory believes that mind and body go hand in hand. This theory takes neither cognitive processes or the environment into consideration. Neighborhood Watch programs takes account for reports regarding deviant behavior as well as those about crime. Neighborhood Watch increases the cost of crime due to the fact the price for committing crime is higher now than it was in the past. The biological factors help to fore warn crime prevention programs of the crimes that one will commit based on the behavioral patterns of prior offenders. The rational theory is also known as the rational choice theory of crime. This theory focuses on wanting more than the least of something. It also direct ones attention to the things that are better off in the long run, and not short term. The primary thought of rational choice theory is the choice patterns that people use in communities are impacted greatly due to the fact that they are trying to use their benefit to its full extent for less. This theory informs individuals on the outcome of what will happen after they have done something. It explains to them the full extent of the crime and punishment. As it relates to Neighborhood Watch Programs, they hang signs and provide other propaganda intelling the after affects of committing a crime. Example: signs say no to drugs and a person going to jail. Example: A picture of a person breaking...
Words: 317 - Pages: 2
...Theory and Crime Kira Young CJA/314 April 30, 2012 Dave Hart Theory and Crime In today’s society there are many ups and downs when it comes to employment, where we live, and the way that we raise our children. The individuals who make up our communities today come from all walks of life, and are sometimes easily influenced by what happens within the community around them. There are often influences around us that help us make decisions that we would not normally make on our own, and this could change our way of thinking on certain issues that may arise in everyday life. Some of these decisions can make it hard to raise a child on the same morals and values that a parent grew up on. While it may be hard to raise a child, and believe in ourselves when times are hard we all have to have the belief that this too shall pass. The Meaning of Social Structure Theory By definition social structure theory is a theory that explains crime by reference to the economic and social arrangements in society, (Schmalleger 2012). There is still further explanation needed as to what this says for those communities that are within grasp of a person. The city that a person lives in has a lot to say as to the job they hold, where they send their child to school, the home in which they live, and the way they conduct themselves on a day to day basis. This is by no means a bad way of living or anything of that nature. Often humans are creatures of habit; we do the...
Words: 791 - Pages: 4
...educational and occupational means that provide them with opportunities to increase their wealth. Strain theory as it relates to digital crime involves the feeling of people in the lower and middle social classes that they do not have equal opportunities or access to those same educational and occupational opportunities. Instead of pursuing legal means to increase their wealth, some of the people who commit white collar crimes are those from the lower and middle classes who are stressed and strained due to finances and their jobs. (Robert W. Taylor, 2011) According to the strain theory, individuals who commit white collar digital crimes feel a sense of entitlement to financial and occupational success because life hasn’t been fair. They have been divorced, lost a significant other, lost their job, or had some other sort of negative situation in their lives. When an individual feels as though they are a failure, they may be more likely to turn to crime as a means of success. (Robert W. Taylor, 2011) The strain theory is the most relevant theory as to why people may turn to committing digital crimes because at one point or another in our lives everyone has had a feeling of inadequacy or failure in some aspect of our lives. Since it is not an uncommon feeling, the strain theory provides an explanation as to why certain people are more inclined to commit white collar digital crimes. If an individual has been successful and suddenly experiences financial or occupational failure, their...
Words: 753 - Pages: 4
...Crime Theories Marcelino Sanchez CJA/204 12-06-11 Frank Juarez Crime Theories The choice theory has an important role to play when considering the reasons leading to a criminal activity. This theory has its own importance while creating strategies for controlling or reducing crime. For this, it is important to understand the theory and how it affects the possibility of someone taking part in criminal activity and how an attempt to control crime would take place under choice theory. Choice theory has derived from the works of early theorists, Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. The Choice Theory obviously affects how society would deter criminal acts. The choice theory of criminology is also known as the classical theory. The fundamental concepts of this theory are that people select all behavior, including criminal behavior. People's choices can be controlled by many factors such as the fear of punishment or the benefits which are attained by doing the crime or an illegal activity. So it implies that the more severe, certain, and swift the punishment, the greater is the possibility to control criminal behavior. The choice theory in relation to criminology, states about punishment, and its effects on criminal behavior. According to choice theory, punishment should have four main objectives. The first and the most important is to prevent all criminal offenses. The second objective is that when it cannot prevent a crime, it should persuade the offender to commit a lesser...
Words: 1082 - Pages: 5
...The fast growth of technology is creating more and more threats to our society in a number of ways. It is threatening individuals by letting cybercriminals gain access to sensitive information that can cause harm to innocent people. It is also creating threats to our younger generations that are unable to cope with the high emotions of social media sites. Individuals are being lured by fake profiles or fake people who would do harm to them. Computer crimes are on the rise. Law enforcements and agencies are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of these crimes. They have created special task divisions to protect our society better. New laws have been put to place to protect U.S citizens better. The four categories of crime: the computer as a target, the computer as an instrument, the computer as incidental to a crime, and crimes associated with prevalence of computer show that everyone can fall victim to some cybercrime. The computer as a target The computer as a target in cybercrime is what today’s society fears. Examples that are considered the computer being a target are denial of service attack, data alteration, and intrusion. Denial of service is when cyber criminals deny users to access to a machine or network. An example of this is when Yahoo was hacked into, and users could not open the website for a couple of hours until Yahoo had fixed the issue. Yahoo’s denial of service attack is a great example because it showed society that even big names...
Words: 2182 - Pages: 9
...Introduction “Criminology is the scientific study of the causation, correction and prevention of crime” (Legal Dictionary, 2015). Understanding crime and the events that happen leading up to the act help compare and contrast the causes, effects, and patterns of criminal behavior. The studies of such involve developing theories; this is the development of criminology. Scientific research is conducted to better understand individuals in societies. Criminology is the foundation of the justice system where crime is studied along with issues related to crime. This paper is intended to discuss the sociobiological theory that will explain the relationship between personality and criminal behavior, to compare key elements of sociobiological with biological and psychological theories, and finally, to identify the philosophical basis to each of these theories. The Relationship between Personality and Criminal Behavior Sociobiological theory is based on the combination of human behavior that occurs naturally with the effects of society. Researchers have thought of this theory by means of learning behaviors that are genetic compared to the environments that individuals are surrounded by. Founded by E.O. Wilson, the sociobiological theory used principles are Darwinism, in that human behaviors are evolutionary (Stanford, 2009). There are predisposition behaviors that will separate a criminal from an upstanding citizen. One example can be found among gang members as they have...
Words: 1129 - Pages: 5
...Social Theories of Crime Linda Robuck AIU Online Abstract This text seeks to make more understandable and explain what social theories are all about, using four different social theories. The beginning of this text will offer a general description or definition of not only what exactly social theories are, but also a description or definition for each of the four theories mentioned earlier. For each of the theories, information that will be included involves a description of each theory, a short history of each theory which will include information with respect to when the theory was proposed, who the relevant theorist or theorists associated with each theory were, strengths of each theory which explains criminal behavior, why each theory was important at the time of its proposal, weaknesses of each theory which explain criminal behavior, and particular examples that will correspond with each of the four theories being discussed. A theoretical application involving an individual who has recently been convicted of a crime will be provided. Along with information regarding the individual and their criminal deviance particular to them, a discussion will ensue in regard to which of the four theories would be most relevant in regard to further explanation of the deviant actions committed by the individual. Social Theories of Crime Introduction In the annals of the early nineteenth century, criminology can find its beginnings in a newly urbanized...
Words: 3689 - Pages: 15
...Project CRJS 105 – Theories of Crime Causation November 11th, 2010 Abstract The following will examine the differences between criminalists, criminologists and forensic psychologists. It will then transition into how what exactly is a white collar crime and a blue collar crime. Lastly the paper will discuss the differences between index-one and index-two crimes as defined by the UCR. Media Portrayal of Crime Introduction With the prevalence of crime being portrayed in the media world, it can be difficult for the modern American to decipher all the aspects of crime. Criminology, the study of crime and its causes, is a excellent way to find out just what makes a criminals mind tick. Although it may be hard to know just what makes a person commit a crime, having a better understanding of the base of criminal justice aspects may be of assistance. Criminologists, Criminalists, and Forensic Psychologists With a plethora of jobs out there relating to the field of criminal justice, it may become overwhelming to try and decide who does what and how they do it. To have a better understanding of such fields one must know exactly what each field does separately from the other. A criminologist uses sociological theories and methods to study criminal behavior and how societies respond to crime (Hall, 2010). This means the criminologist seeks to find out the mentality behind a crime and how that thinking affects the society as a whole. By creating theories as to why of how...
Words: 1634 - Pages: 7
...Marsha Thompson CIS 170 Doctor David Fox Strayer University Feb. 20, 2105 Select two of the theories, suggested in Chapter 3 of the text, that a researcher could use to explain the cause of digital crime. Provide a rationale to support your response. According to Sang M Lee, computer abuse shows no sign of decline. The social structure theory can help prevent it by enhancing insiders involvement in computer abuse. Studies show that deterrence factors influence SDI and organizational factors significantly affect ICI and ICI decreases insiders’ abuse. Interestingly, SDI negatively affects both insiders and invaders abusers. According to Peter Marzuk, psychological disorders and persons with mental illnesses and personality disorders are strongly linked to crime? Marzuk notes that new studies of violence among the mentally ill are well designed and quite convincing. His studies do state that most people who have mental illnesses are not criminals., and the ones that are do not commit not violent crimes. Marzuk says, "In the last decade, the evidence showing a link between violence, crime, and mental illness has mounted. It cannot be dismissed; it should not be ignored." This research found that people with a background of psychiatric hospitalization were more likely to have been found guilty of a criminal offense than persons without a history of psychiatric hospitalization," a finding that was true for both men and women. According to Marzuk,...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
...Theories on Crime Comparison Angelika L. Arnold AJS/542 May 20, 2013 Marcela Morales Theories on Crime Comparison For several years, theorists have come to the conclusion that people commit crimes for several different reasons. Some say that criminals are born; some say that it is because of self gratification and the need to be rewarded. Theorists believe that there is a psychological, biological, and sociobiological theory that will explain the genuine thought, behavior, and action of the common criminal. This paper will contain information regarding the relationship between personality and criminal behavior; the key elements of the psychological theory, and the philosophical basis of each theory. Key Elements of the Psychological Theory Psychological theory focuses on the involvement among personality, the learned behavior, and criminal behavior. The question is raised concerning the actual criminal behavior that an individual displays and why these people commit crimes. Although theorist believe that what they believe is true there could be many different aspects that develop the makeup of a criminal. By looking back into the criminal behavior of some serial...
Words: 1143 - Pages: 5
...The theory of crime causation ELAINE WILSON 11/25/2011 D. COOPER UNIT 3 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT The social control theory is just what the name says; it is theory that a person is controlled by social circumstances, control of individual behavior by society. Social control theory stresses the idea that people in a society commit criminal acts because of the weaknesses within society, not because of the strength of forces driving them to do so. Crime is a strain on an otherwise stable system; social control is an attempt to stabilize the functioning of a society. The reasoning of social control is to fulfill society’s moral needs in the societal community. Criminal behavior is a strong indicator of the weakening bonds within society. As a function of social control, conversely, society offers restraints on people. The strain theory attempts to prove that your economic status determines crime. The lower classes are the most vulnerable to this pressure, or strain, and will maintain their dreams and desires though the economic means are not available. Frustration due to lower status would appear to be associated with more serious, repetitive offending. Incidence of crime among a low status group was found to be explained by low expectations in spite of the drive some people of lower status carry. Differential association theory is a learning theory that concentrations on why a person comes to commit a crime. A criminal and deviant act is learned through close and frequent association...
Words: 986 - Pages: 4
...Functionalist Theory Of Crime Functionalism (The Consensus structuralism theory) Functionalism is a consensus structuralism theory. Functionalists argue that there is nothing abnormal about deviance, and that it is necessary and normal in all parts of societies performing a positive function. The functions of crime and deviance (DURKEIM)Durkheim has identified a positive and a negative side to crime and deviance, it is positive in which it helps society to change and remain dynamic, whilst the negative side sees too much crime leading to social disruption. Durkheim believes that crime and deviance are inevitable and normal aspect of social life. They are inevitable because everyone cannot be equally committed to the shared values that guide ones actions, referred to as the collective consensus. He also believes that crime and deviance perform four essential functions for society: • Crime and deviance being essential for generating and sustaining morality. • Crime and deviance clarify and reaffirm the boundaries. For example by receiving retribution for a crime, such as a prison sentence, the state is making it clear that as criminal/deviant act has taken place. • Crime and deviance can promote social unity. When a crime has been committed, the entire community draws together in shared outrage, and the sense of belonging in a community is strengthened. • Crime and deviance can encourage social change by resulting in a change of shared values. This change in values...
Words: 1228 - Pages: 5
...Unit 5 IP: Theories of Crime Causation American InterContinental University Virgen Ramos Abstract This essay will cover four main theories: the social control theory, the neutralization theory, the labeling theory, and the routine activities theory. These four theories will then be compared to the following four programs: the Midnight Basketball League programs, the Weed and Seed programs, the Graffiti Reduction program, and the Prison Rehabilitation program. They will each be discussed and described thoroughly with the use of examples. Overall, this essay will cover how the public is trying to decrease crime rates. Unit 5 IP: Theories of Crime Causation In this large world, we have large amounts of crime rates. These high crime rates lead to the creations of specific theories. These theories lead to the makings of specific programs. These specific programs all have to do with a theory. This theory is what gives the public the idea to form a program to try to see if it will help. Discussed in this essay will be many different theories and which programs go along with them. The first theory to be introduced in this essay is Hirschi’s social control theory. “Hirschi’s social control theory proposes that delinquents fail to form or maintain a bond to society consisting of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief” (Wiatrowski, 1981, p. 525). In other words, his theory is that if people are not involved in something they enjoy doing, something they look forward...
Words: 1379 - Pages: 6
