...Criminal Acts and Choices Tamara Manning CJA/204 June 16, 2012 Criminal Acts and Choices “Choice theories state that the decision to commit (or refrain from) crime is an exercise of free will based on the offender’s efforts to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.” Choice theories are perspectives on crime causation that states that criminality is the aftermath of conscious choices made by people. There are four basic theories that are considered: Psychological positivism, biological, positivism, rational choice, and sociological positivism. These theories rely on logic to explain why people commit crimes and whether a criminal act is the result of a rational decision, internal predisposition or external aspects. A multitude of factors are considered to play roles in criminal activity. Social, political, and economic inequities, for instance, may create conflict within society. Human development, an absence of “normal” opportunities, failed self-direction, and inadequate social roles, association with defective individuals, or social organization and disorganization may also pave the road to criminal activity. Some theorists say that criminal behavior derives from psychobiological factors such as human DNA or hormones; others say inappropriate behavioral conditioning or a diseased mind contributes to criminal activity. Regardless of the reasons behind crime, this is a very real...
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...Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. Colorado and Washington State to add marijuana use to 2012 ballot. Health Inspector, Set of 8 Goals. The police represent the largest and most visible segment of the criminal justice system. As organized agents of law enforcement and peacekeeping, police officers are charged with the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of criminal offenders, the defense of constitutional guarantees, the resolution of community conflicts, the protection of society, and the promotion and preservation of civil order. They have often been referred to as a “thin blue line” between order and anarchy in modern society. Police brutality exerts a heavy toll on society, as each year officers and citizens alike are injured or killed during violent confrontations. Such incidents can invite expensive lawsuits against agencies and generate feelings of mistrust among the public, often costing law enforcement the cooperation of those they are under oath to protect and serve. Although the Supreme Court and the Kerner Commission brought police violence to public attention during the 1960s, the subject had long been the focus of rigorous study. As western America became more populated and more lawless, the sheriff evolved into an active agent of...
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...Checkpoint: Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Oval Campbell CJ200 Martin Nealeigh November 30, 2013 Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. Post your response as an attachment. The common models that societies use to determine which acts are considered criminal are based in basic human rights. We unconsciously know that dreadful crimes such as murder are essentially wrong. Yet the concept of having the God given right to pursue happiness and our desires must have a limit. So in general, laws reflect respect for others rights as well, ensuring that we can all both pursue our personal happiness without impinging on our neighbors’ rights. In order to promote law enforcement, one of two models is usually chosen. In the centralized model, one or two agencies work in tandem to perform street enforcement, traffic duty, and criminal investigation. In the regionalized model police departments, sheriffs, and constables handle the duties of patrol and traffic, while a separate state department performs investigation. Sensible Choice Theory: The sensible choice theory explains why some people choose to commit crime. In its most basic form, the concept is that people will commit crimes if they are given the motive...
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...Check-Point: Criminal Acts and Choice Theories Response Write a 200- to 300-word response in which you describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. Describe the common models for society to determine which acts are considered criminal. Explain how choice theories of crime affect society. The common models that societies use to determine which acts are considered criminal are based in basic human rights. We instinctively know that heinous crimes such as murder are fundamentally wrong. Yet the concept of having the God given right to pursue happiness and our desires must have a limit. So in general, laws reflect respect for others rights as well, ensuring that we can all both pursue our personal happiness without encroaching on our neighbors rights. In order to promote law enforcement, one of two models are usually chosen. In the centralized model, one or two agencies work in tandem to perform street enforcement, traffic duty, and criminal investigation. In the decentralized model the duties of patrol and traffic are handled by police departments, sheriffs, and constables, while investigation is performed by a separate state department. Rational Choice Theory: The rational choice theory describes why some people choose to commit crime. In its most basic form, the concept is that people will commit crimes if they are given the motive, opportunity, and the risk of being caught or punished is minimal or is outweighed by the circumstances. The motivation...
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...Criminal Acts and Choices D Brat CJA/204 January 18, 2012 University of Phoenix Criminal Acts and Choices This paper will identify and describe choice theories and how they relate to crime, and will list and describe the common models in how society determines which acts are considered to be criminal and how it impacted by choice theories of crime. It is easy to understand why the entertainment industry and the media are targeted as the cause of criminal violence, many other explanations for crime are also viable, like genetic abnormalities or psychological differences in individuals. Various patterns of early socialization may cause a person to commit a crime (Schmalleger, 2009). Some types of criminology theories are classical and neoclassical, include the Free will theory, rational choice theory and routine activities theory. Crime is caused by exercise of free will. Prevention is possible with punishment that offsets any gains to be had through criminal behavior. The choice theory was developed in the 18th century by an Italian philosopher and politician. His theory explains the offender’s motivation to commit a crime is purposeful, with the intent of some sort of ego boosts or personal gain. The rational cause theory is when the offender makes the choice to commit the crime upon examining the consequences or benefits. The offender would then plan the crime and the location and the target of the crime. The offender would then execute the crime knowing that it is...
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...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...
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...Criminal Acts and Choices Victoria Hopkins University of Phoenix Society uses common models to determine what a criminal act is. The Justice System has two models: Consensus Model and Conflict Model. The consensus model is used by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and it shows that the majority of society shares the same values and beliefs. This model works on the assumption that when people form as a society they will have the same morals and beliefs. They come to an agreement of what are the general norms and values. According to the Consensus Model, crime is anything that goes against the values and beliefs of society and is considered damaging to society. Any individual who performs an action that goes against these values and beliefs are considered a threat to society and need to be punished. Deviant behavior is controlled and prevented by the laws that society passes. The Conflict Model is the model used to determine the content of criminal law. This model is determined by those that hold economic, political, and social power within the community. What is believed to be criminal activity is determined by whichever one of these groups hold the power. Each segment of society (social class, income, age, and race), will have different value systems and shared norms. Each of the society segments is in a constant struggle to have the power in society. There are groups that do not have a political access to the power and so what their interest are, they are not served...
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...Criminal Acts and Choices Criminal Acts and Choices Choice Theory gives us an explanation of motivation which is different from what many people have been taught. An aspect of Choice Theory is the belief that we are internally, not externally motivated. Other theories suggest that certain events that happened in life cause people to behave in certain ways; Choice Theory teaches that these events do not make people do anything. Peoples behaviors are internally developed feelings of what is most important and satisfying to them. People have ideas of how they would like things to be. People want to be connected with other people and achieve the same things that their neighbor does. Choice theory is exactly what it says, people have to make a choice on their own as the how they will behave and what standards they will hold themselves to. No amount of law can make a person do something that they do not want to do each individual has to make that choice for themselves. Southern California psychiatrist William Glasser, the author of Reality Therapy, believes that almost all human misery is caused by people trying to control others. He says, “the only behavior we can control is our own; by the same token, no one can make us do anything we don't want to. It's only when we give up spending our energy trying to force others to conform to our ideas or to keep them from doing the same to us that we are able to live the way we want to.”( William Glasser) Choice theory...
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...Criminal Acts and Choices Paper Your Name Here CJA/204 University of Phoenix Criminal Acts and Choices Over the years there have been several different schools of theory which have been developed with the intent of explaining and understanding criminal behavior. These schools of theory include sociological, biological, psychobiological, psychological, classical, social process, emergent, and conflict. There are a variety of factors which play a role in determining what is considered criminal activity. Several factors within social, political, and economic inequities have had a roll in creating conflict within society which has led to criminal activities. As a part of the human development process, failed self-direction, an absence of “normal” opportunities, association with defective individuals, inadequate social roles as well as social organization and disorganization are a variety of factors which have led to individuals engaging in what is considered criminal activities. Some theorists say that criminal behavior derives from psychobiological factors such as hormones and human DNA; while others point to inappropriate behavioral conditioning as a contributing factor to criminal activity. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries a classical school of crime causation dominated criminology. Prior to classical theories, superstitious beliefs and mysticism explained the reasoning for deviance. The classical school recognized rationality...
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...Criminal Acts and Choice Paper James Hankerson CJ4/204 October 19, 2011 Lyndsey Hix Criminal Acts and Choice Paper There is not one answer to why crime happens. Every day criminals makes choices whether to commit a crime or not, and they are not thinking about the consequences that follows. In cities and communities crime has grown enormous to new highs, since the economy is down and the poverty level is up. There’s many reasons why so much crime is happening, but the poverty level is one of the main reasons, with people losing their jobs, losing their homes, and don’t have the financial resources to feed their families make individuals seek other alternatives. Theorists have worked long hard hours to find clarifications that allow a nonviolent, noncriminal individual to understand what goes on in the heart, mind, body, and soul of a criminal. In this paper the questions that would be explained are, describe choice theories and how they relate to crime. I’ll list, and describe the common model in how society determines is considered to be criminal and how it impacted by choice theories of crime. Choice Theories and how they relate to Crime? We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives (Glasser, 2009). Choice theory is described also known as the rational theory is the idea that people tend to make choices in a way that maximizes advantages while minimizing cost (Wisegeek, 2011). There are two main theories in...
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...Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Choice theories are the choices to commend or abstain from wrong had an implement of free will based on the offender’s hard work to reduce pain and exploit pleasure. In this paper, I will look at choice theories and how they relate to crime and a little about common models in how society determines which acts are considered to be criminal, and how these are impacted by choice theories of crime. A choice theory is the evaluation on offenses caused by a criminal due to the consequences of conscious choices. It is also known as the rational choice theory. According to this theory, criminals want to disobey the laws when he or she believes that the price of doing so does not overshadow the profit. In fact choice theory has an inner behavior to our life and that it is hereditarily motivated by five desires: freedom, ability, love, survival, and responsibility. The choice theory also has 10 Axioms that are based on a therapy method that is all about serving customers taught to formulate excellent choices. Some of the axioms are: behaviors that he or she choose but mainly those he or she act on, one that he or she can control, relationships long term and short term, behavior is made up of four mechanism- physiology, feeling, acting and thinking, and all behaviors are divided into verbs. Everyone as a choice in life whether if he or she decides to eat at the mall or go carjacking it is up to him...
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...Criminal Justice System Paper Introduction In the field of Criminal Justice in America it is important to explore the parts of the criminal justice systems and the processes that occur. Many of the parts and processes in the Criminal Justice System shall be discussed in this work. Crime will be defined in relation to the law. Models of how society views acts as criminals will be reviewed. Choice theories will also be revealed in this work. The Instruments and government structure in relation to criminal justice shall be reviewed as well in this paper Criminal justice is exciting to review. Crime What is crime? Crime has an important definition with an important relation to the law. Crime is not defined by any one individual. It is important to explore what crime is defined as in society. Crime is, conduct in violation of the criminal laws of a state, the federal government, or a local jurisdiction, for which there is no legally acceptable justification or excuse. There is no justifying or excusing these acts (Schmalleger, 2009, p. 7). Crimes definition plays a major role in determining which acts are criminal as well as the models that are presented. Government Structure The government is structured in such a way as to support the Criminal Justice System in America. The first part of that structure is the Constitution. The Constitution outlines laws, freedoms and power to several governmental agencies. Government first plays a role in making laws. Then insure enforcement...
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...Choice Theories Roslyn Wooten CJA/490 September 9, 2013 Ray Cueller Choice Theories “Criminology is the study of why individuals commit crimes and why they behave in certain situations. If people can understand and learn why a person commits a crime, there can be ways to develop control in crime or rehabilitate the criminal. In criminology there are many theories. Some relate crime to the individual; they believe that an individual weighs the pros and cons and makes a conscious decision or choice if to commit a crime or not. It is believed that a community should support the responsibility of ensuring their citizens do not commit any crimes by offering them a safe and secure place in which to live. It is also believed that some individuals have latent traits that will determine how they will react when put in certain negative situations. In studying these theories and applying them to individuals, it is hoped that psychologists can deter criminals from repeating crimes and help them in their rehabilitation”. * “Choice Theory: The belief that individuals choose to commit a crime, looking at the opportunities before them, weighing the benefit versus the punishment, and deciding whether to proceed or not”. * “Classical Theory: Similar to the choice theory, this theory ascertains that people think before they proceed with criminal actions; that when one commits a crime, it is because the individual decided that it was advantageous to commit the crime”. ...
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...individual assignment October 27, 2011 CJA/204 In the following paragraphs choice theories will be described as well as how they specifically relate to crime. Common models on how society determines which acts are or are not criminal in nature and how they impact choice theories directly will also be made known in this paper. The first topic at hand is choice theories. What are choice theories? According to Wikipedia (2011) “the term choice theory is the work of William Glasser, MD, author of the book so named, and is the culmination of some 50 years of theory and practice in psychology and counseling. Choice Theory posits that behavior is central to our existence and is driven by five genetically driven needs, similar to those of Abraham Maslow: Survival (food, clothing, shelter, breathing, personal safety and others) and four fundamental psychological needs: Belonging/connecting/love, Power/significance/competence, Freedom/autonomy, and, Fun/learning” So in short it is safe to say that choice theories would be perspectives on crime causes states that criminal activities are the after thoughts of a conscious decision or choice. Choice theory is also known as rational choice theory. Rational choice theory is when a criminal feels the need to defy the law even though they know the consequences do not outweigh the benefit of doing so. Choice theory states that there is a central behavior to our existence and this is driven by five...
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...relationship is seen. Empirical Validity. This is the most important factor in evaluating a theory, and means that the theory has been supported by research evidence. Ideology. A belief system and a set of core values or philosophy. In a pure sense, an ideology states or explains how things should be, and a theory explains how things actually are. Internal Logical Consistency. A theory needs to be presented in a logical manner and to have clearly stated propositions that agree with or do not contradict one another. Restated, does the theory make logical and consistent sense? Macro. Macro theories of criminal behavior explain the “big picture” of crime—crime across the world or across a society. They attempt to answer why there are variations in group rates of crime. Other authors have used the terms “epidemiology” or social structural theories. Micro. Micro theories of criminal behavior focus on a small group of offenders or on an individual crime. They attempt to answer why some individuals are more likely than others to commit crime. Other authors have used the terms “individual conduct” or processual theories. Necessary Condition. This means that X must be present to produce effect Y. If X is notpresent, Y will not occur. Parsimony. This refers to how many propositions, steps, or statements are involved. How simple is the theory? Policy Implications. If the theory is empirically valid, what solutions are suggested. Probabilistic Causality. A concept...
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