Deterrence Theory: What Makes A Criminal?

Are you a criminal? Personally, I would say no. But who wouldn’t say no, half of the time people aren’t truthful. Anything that I have remotely done could be considered as illegal would be going over the speed limit, but it is never more over ten miles per hour nor does it happen regularly. To develop a better understanding of why I’m not a criminal I will work through the theories by applying them to my life.
Deterrence theory is one of the more well-known theoretical perspectives. Deterrence is where they believe that punishment reduces crime among the general population. They also state that committing crimes reside in everyone. Which makes sense that there are times were at least once someone has considered doing an illegal act. For me, …show more content…
But the choices are often hurried and based on incomplete or inaccurate information. Though they do say that rational choice also means logical choices. Yet when it happens from an offender’s perspective, they’re more based on the exact moment. Therefore not considering their choice of action and the consequences that potentially follow. Getting the greatest benefit or satisfaction from their actions is what rational choice is truly about. For me, rational choice happens in this perspective to be a hurried choice. The one factor that could be seen as criminal in my life is going over the speed limit. Depending on the location there are moments where I do travel over the speed limit. When this happens, I usually don’t realize right away I’m more thinking about getting to my destination than the speed limit. Though when I do realize I slow down my speed and pay more attention to my surroundings. Tying into the deterrence theory, for me, I work a job where we have a company vehicle and if I were to get caught speeding I would be denied access to the vehicle. Thus making the deterrence theory work in my …show more content…
From being a born criminal to having a disability, genetics from other criminals, or just being motivated by passion. Honestly, I completely disagree with this theory and it has no ties to why I’m not a criminal. For that reason, my characteristics don 't mean I’m automatically a criminal. Along with the idea that people can be criminals due to disabilities or genetics. And as for born criminals, the only detail that could possibly be seen as being a born criminal is a psychopath. Which isn’t fully true since not every psychopath is a criminal. Lastly, the final theory is the psychological theory. This theory recognizes the effects of individuals’ experiences, especially in early childhood, and environmental factors that cause criminal behavior. For me, this theory did prevent me from becoming a criminal. Due to the environment, I grew up in and my family members they helped make sure that I stayed on the right track. My environment being living in a safe middle-class suburban area and having parents that were semi-strict along with other