The purpose of the Criminal Justice 305 Criminal Behavior course is for students to be able to successfully understand theories that shape criminal behavior. The authors of the book Criminological Theories: Context and Consequences introduce a variety of theories that explain factors that may cause criminal behavior as well as policy implications and consequences of those theories (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2015). Criminological theories are intended to explain why crime happens in favor of preventing future occurrences, not to pardon a criminal or justify their behavior. The theory focused in this essay is Hirschi and Gottfredson’s Self-Control and Crime Theory (1990). Phillip Garrido is a criminal offender who serves as a real world example
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He graduated from Liberty High School in 1969 and did not attend college. In an interview for the San Francisco Chronicle, his brother said that their childhood was relatively unremarkable until Phillip began acting out, using LSD and dealing drugs (Bulwa, 2009, p. A11). Garrido did not have an abusive childhood. His mother treated him well and never viewed him as a trouble child. In another article, “Phillip Garrido victim speaks to Larry King about Jaycee Dugard case and shares her story part 3,” when asked about his childhood during trial, Garrido stated, “My father never did take any restrictions of beating me or disciplining me, and my mother spoiled me” (Van Horn, 2009). His parents’ lack of discipline leads to the correlation of his future criminal behavior and Hirschi and Gottfredson’s Self-Control and Crime Theory. In regards to instilling self-control, the theory suggests that parents must monitor their child consistently, notice deviant behavior, and correct it. According to the theory and Garrido’s statement about his childhood, he was not corrected as a child which contributed to his inability to develop self-control. This led to delinquency in his youth with LSD usage, dealing drugs, and eventually becoming an adult …show more content…
According to the Self-Control and Crime Theory, those who engage in crime tend to be impulsive, physical, and risk-taking (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2015). Garrido was very physical when he kidnapped Hall as he slammed her head into the steering wheel, handcuffed her, and raped her (Morrison, 2009). He also took a huge risk by kidnapping Dugard in broad daylight on her way to the bus stop not far from her house and step-father (Dugard, 2012). The theory also states that crime is due to individual differences in the propensity to resist (self-control) which is a quality of the self. Garrido stated, “I have had this fantasy, and this sexual thing that has overcome me. I had this fantasy that was driving me to do this, inside of me; something that was making me want to do it without - no way to stop it” (Van Horn, 2009). He did not resist his desires and had no self-control, which makes sense of the theory suggesting that crime is due to the propensity to resist. Garrido admitted to his wrongdoings and explained that his sexual desires were uncontrollable. He had no self-control, otherwise, he would not have had to submit to his temptations and rape random young
He graduated from Liberty High School in 1969 and did not attend college. In an interview for the San Francisco Chronicle, his brother said that their childhood was relatively unremarkable until Phillip began acting out, using LSD and dealing drugs (Bulwa, 2009, p. A11). Garrido did not have an abusive childhood. His mother treated him well and never viewed him as a trouble child. In another article, “Phillip Garrido victim speaks to Larry King about Jaycee Dugard case and shares her story part 3,” when asked about his childhood during trial, Garrido stated, “My father never did take any restrictions of beating me or disciplining me, and my mother spoiled me” (Van Horn, 2009). His parents’ lack of discipline leads to the correlation of his future criminal behavior and Hirschi and Gottfredson’s Self-Control and Crime Theory. In regards to instilling self-control, the theory suggests that parents must monitor their child consistently, notice deviant behavior, and correct it. According to the theory and Garrido’s statement about his childhood, he was not corrected as a child which contributed to his inability to develop self-control. This led to delinquency in his youth with LSD usage, dealing drugs, and eventually becoming an adult …show more content…
According to the Self-Control and Crime Theory, those who engage in crime tend to be impulsive, physical, and risk-taking (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, 2015). Garrido was very physical when he kidnapped Hall as he slammed her head into the steering wheel, handcuffed her, and raped her (Morrison, 2009). He also took a huge risk by kidnapping Dugard in broad daylight on her way to the bus stop not far from her house and step-father (Dugard, 2012). The theory also states that crime is due to individual differences in the propensity to resist (self-control) which is a quality of the self. Garrido stated, “I have had this fantasy, and this sexual thing that has overcome me. I had this fantasy that was driving me to do this, inside of me; something that was making me want to do it without - no way to stop it” (Van Horn, 2009). He did not resist his desires and had no self-control, which makes sense of the theory suggesting that crime is due to the propensity to resist. Garrido admitted to his wrongdoings and explained that his sexual desires were uncontrollable. He had no self-control, otherwise, he would not have had to submit to his temptations and rape random young