Criminality of an offender can be a result from a variety of factors. Hence, there is an abundant amount of theories dedicated to explain this phenomenon. For example, from a Rational Choice Theory perspective, an offender’s deviant behavior is determined by his/her own decision making. Criminals do this by outweighing the cost/benefits that come with committing the criminal act. In other words, it’s the criminal’s individualistic decision that leads to his criminality. Hence, one implication the State should consider is making the cost higher than the benefits of committing the crime. This could be done by establishing harsher punishes, however, research has noted otherwise because harsher penalties could actually lead to higher crime rates.
…show more content…
One theory under the realm of social process is Learning theory where offenders are viewed as being good by nature. The criminals are blank papers that are influences by societal aspects. Criminals learn behavior just like any other regular thing they learn throughout their lifespan and most of this deviant behaviors are learned through social interaction. According to a learning theory proposed by Sutherland, differential association, criminals commit crimes when the ratio of definitions favorable to crime exceeds the definitions that are unfavorable to commit crime. Hence, individual in society who are in lower classes are more prone to learn more definitions that are favorable to crime. This outcome is a huge reason why most people in jails are individuals who are poor. Unfortunately, this cycle keeps repeating itself over and over again. In order to stop this essential for the State and society to emphasize the definitions that are more unfavorable to crime throughout disadvantage communities. Since people are blank of paper, according to learning theories, they can be heavily influenced by authority figures in order to modify their deviant …show more content…
This rules create certain expectations however, not everybody has the same means to achieve those goals. Hence, the offender adapts to this certain goals such as the “American Dream” and finds alternative means available to him/her, which involves more often than not engaging in criminal activity, in order to achieve it. Additionally, criminals living in a socially disorganize place where poverty thrives have blocked opportunities which creates a subculture of violence which leads them to engage in alternative lifestyles and values that are deviant in society. This problem is seen more in lower class neighborhoods which have been socially isolated creating tons of disadvantages for them. Hence, there is only limited opportunities to achieve upward mobility, In order to resolve this problem, according to Wilson, it is to open up the opportunities for everyone so the “American Dream” is viable towards everyone using legitimate means in order to achieve it. Additionally, It is highly evident that community characteristics and crime go hand in hand as it is evident in the Social disorganization theory. Therefore, it is essential for the citizens of the neighborhoods to make strong bonds by being more heavily involve with their neighbors in order to provide guardianship and advice to disadvantage youth in order to end the cycle of
One theory under the realm of social process is Learning theory where offenders are viewed as being good by nature. The criminals are blank papers that are influences by societal aspects. Criminals learn behavior just like any other regular thing they learn throughout their lifespan and most of this deviant behaviors are learned through social interaction. According to a learning theory proposed by Sutherland, differential association, criminals commit crimes when the ratio of definitions favorable to crime exceeds the definitions that are unfavorable to commit crime. Hence, individual in society who are in lower classes are more prone to learn more definitions that are favorable to crime. This outcome is a huge reason why most people in jails are individuals who are poor. Unfortunately, this cycle keeps repeating itself over and over again. In order to stop this essential for the State and society to emphasize the definitions that are more unfavorable to crime throughout disadvantage communities. Since people are blank of paper, according to learning theories, they can be heavily influenced by authority figures in order to modify their deviant …show more content…
This rules create certain expectations however, not everybody has the same means to achieve those goals. Hence, the offender adapts to this certain goals such as the “American Dream” and finds alternative means available to him/her, which involves more often than not engaging in criminal activity, in order to achieve it. Additionally, criminals living in a socially disorganize place where poverty thrives have blocked opportunities which creates a subculture of violence which leads them to engage in alternative lifestyles and values that are deviant in society. This problem is seen more in lower class neighborhoods which have been socially isolated creating tons of disadvantages for them. Hence, there is only limited opportunities to achieve upward mobility, In order to resolve this problem, according to Wilson, it is to open up the opportunities for everyone so the “American Dream” is viable towards everyone using legitimate means in order to achieve it. Additionally, It is highly evident that community characteristics and crime go hand in hand as it is evident in the Social disorganization theory. Therefore, it is essential for the citizens of the neighborhoods to make strong bonds by being more heavily involve with their neighbors in order to provide guardianship and advice to disadvantage youth in order to end the cycle of