Sabrina Peters
Drugs and Crime
February 17, 2018
Writing Assignment #1
The text defined criminological theory as “ a set of concepts linked together by a series of statements to explain why an event or phenomenon occurs” (Pg. 75). In my opinion, the criminology theory that best explains drug use, which includes purchasing and possessing of drugs, is rational choice theory. Rational choice theory is the idea that an individual makes a reasonable choice after weighing in on the costs and benefits and then decides what they are going to do. In simple terms, rational choice theory is the view that crime is a function of a decision making process, in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits …show more content…
Cornish and Clarke believed that the reason people act in criminal behavior is due to the fact that there is a direct benefit of that behavior (pg. 83). This theory explains drug use best based on the fact that individuals are believed to be the following: hedonistic (people are engaged in the pursuit of pleasure, self-indulgent, and pleasure-seeking), egoistic (being centered in or preoccupied with oneself and the gratification of one’s own desires, self-centered), and rational (reasonable, logical, and sensible). This ties is very well with explaining drug use, because drugs, temporarily, make people feel good (pleasure-seeking), and the fact that it is based on their own personal reasons, which can be considered selfish. Lastly, an individual has to think about the pros and cons of purchasing and selling drugs, and then make a decision, which means that they make a rational …show more content…
The behaviors that are influenced by their ability include the following: psychological background, intelligence, cognitive style, prior experiences, learning, moral attitudes, self-image, foresight, and planning. I believe that this means that despite all of the cards an individual is given they have a decision on whether or not they are going to do or sell drugs and they make that choice. Another factor that drug use is a result of making a reasonable and logical decision can be showed by the fact that “opiate addicts make a conscious choice to use opioids before they have the opportunity” as well as the fact that there is “usually one year between initial use and addiction,” which means that there are some addicts that are able to still control their drug use. In my opinion, the theory that best describes drug trafficking (selling and distribution) is the routine activities theory that was developed by Cohen and Felson in 1979. Routine activities theory states that in order for a crime to have occurred there must be three elements present, which include a motivated offender, target/victim, and the absence of a capable guardian to prevent these crimes from happening. Additionally, the routine activities theory believes that these crimes occur as a result of
Drugs and Crime
February 17, 2018
Writing Assignment #1
The text defined criminological theory as “ a set of concepts linked together by a series of statements to explain why an event or phenomenon occurs” (Pg. 75). In my opinion, the criminology theory that best explains drug use, which includes purchasing and possessing of drugs, is rational choice theory. Rational choice theory is the idea that an individual makes a reasonable choice after weighing in on the costs and benefits and then decides what they are going to do. In simple terms, rational choice theory is the view that crime is a function of a decision making process, in which the potential offender weighs the potential costs and benefits …show more content…
Cornish and Clarke believed that the reason people act in criminal behavior is due to the fact that there is a direct benefit of that behavior (pg. 83). This theory explains drug use best based on the fact that individuals are believed to be the following: hedonistic (people are engaged in the pursuit of pleasure, self-indulgent, and pleasure-seeking), egoistic (being centered in or preoccupied with oneself and the gratification of one’s own desires, self-centered), and rational (reasonable, logical, and sensible). This ties is very well with explaining drug use, because drugs, temporarily, make people feel good (pleasure-seeking), and the fact that it is based on their own personal reasons, which can be considered selfish. Lastly, an individual has to think about the pros and cons of purchasing and selling drugs, and then make a decision, which means that they make a rational …show more content…
The behaviors that are influenced by their ability include the following: psychological background, intelligence, cognitive style, prior experiences, learning, moral attitudes, self-image, foresight, and planning. I believe that this means that despite all of the cards an individual is given they have a decision on whether or not they are going to do or sell drugs and they make that choice. Another factor that drug use is a result of making a reasonable and logical decision can be showed by the fact that “opiate addicts make a conscious choice to use opioids before they have the opportunity” as well as the fact that there is “usually one year between initial use and addiction,” which means that there are some addicts that are able to still control their drug use. In my opinion, the theory that best describes drug trafficking (selling and distribution) is the routine activities theory that was developed by Cohen and Felson in 1979. Routine activities theory states that in order for a crime to have occurred there must be three elements present, which include a motivated offender, target/victim, and the absence of a capable guardian to prevent these crimes from happening. Additionally, the routine activities theory believes that these crimes occur as a result of