Comparison Of Biological And Contemporary Psychological Theories Of Crime

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

There are many differences between sociological theories, psychological theories, and theological theories of criminology. When comparing these theories, we are able to recognize how they work together in describing crime. However, these theories have more differences than they do similarities. Sociological theories take the time to explain the influences of society on criminal behavior. Psychological theories discuss the individual themselves, and how their personalities, IQ, or way of thinking influences criminal behavior.

Crime is a socially constructed term for deviant behavior and can be examined through two primary lenses. The first is from an individual standpoint, and the second is from a societal standpoint. Psychology pertains to the individual, and sociology pertains to the societal. Psychology studies internal mental processes and human interaction and sociology studies the development, structure, and functioning of society. A part of sociology attempts to identify and explain crime patterns and how they occur.

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?

This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of

The study of criminals and crime has been studied for over two-hundred years, developing from new studies and new patients who have significantly contributed to the study of criminology. The study of psychology is an incredibly engaging subject. The idea that you can study peoples' brains and figure out what went wrong, where and why they do things average people do not seem to do is a captivating subject. So, with the new ideas of criminology, it was a captivating subject. My interest was highly piqued when I learned that there was a difference in psychology between men and women when it comes to serial killers.

In the book Inside the Criminal Mind by Stanton Samenow, the idea that criminals commit crimes because of the environment or mental illness is an undying speculation. For instance, in the song “Gee, Officer Krupke” excuses are a thrown out for bad behavior, “delinquents were punks because their dads were drunks. They’re misunderstood rather than no good” (41). The juvenile's behavior is look at as more of a psychological or sociological problem than an actual crime. Adversities in life are unavoidable, these everyday struggles can be looked at as motivation or degradation.

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.

This deals with the thoughts, intentions and reactions of criminals. This also includes all that partakes in the criminal behaviour. In comparison to anthropological criminology, psychology deals with everything that makes the criminal “tick”, as opposed to the physical evidence. The questions that I formed can easily be related to the article because they are thought-provoking, and they ask about the actual intentions and thought process related to the crime. All of my questions could explain why certain things happened that was stated in the article, including why cigarettes and money was stolen, why the crime was committed at 4:00 AM, and many more.

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

Crime causation is the study of the reasons why individuals commit crimes and covers four main theories. The strain theory suggests individuals commit crimes to relieve psychological strain. The social learning theory that suggests individuals commit crimes as a product of their environment. Where control theory suggests that individuals chose an easier alternative to what their environment provides. Lastly, is the anomie theory, a social context where an individual commits a crime in response to alienation from society.

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.

The first theory is persons with repressed criminal behaviour (in the physical

Two schools of thoughts that explain deviant behavior are neoclassical criminology and classical criminology. Neoclassical “focused on just deserts and rational choice”(Schmalleger),

The theory views the offender as either a patient or a victim or both. According to this theory a person who has committed an offense is not morally responsible for the offense he or she has committed because the offense might be the product of an illness in which treatment is required; this type of person is regarded as a patient. When the offense is the product of a dysfunctional social environment the person is regarded as the victim. The advantage of this approach is that it focuses on the offenders, instead of punishing the offenders this approach focuses on repairing and treating the dysfunctional areas that the offenders are experiencing by means of behavioral therapy and other therapeutic programmes.