Violence
Another major viewpoint from which violence is studied is the criminal justice system. In the United States, the four primary categories of crime considered a violent crime are: Murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault A violent crime can be defined as, “the use or threat of force against the victim” (Dale & Smith, 2013, p. 374). Statistics suggest violence may be more prominent in the south, between minorities and in poor neighborhoods, however, the most common variable in violent crimes is gender. Men are more likely to be the perpetrator of a violent crime.” Men are more violent to other men and more violent to women” (Dale & Smith, 2013, p. 386).
According to the reading, not all violent crimes are reported in statistics because when violent crimes are reported, typically only the most serious crime is reported; not each individual instance of a crime. For example, a woman may be raped and during the rape she is hit with a stick. The assault with a stick would not routinely be reported. Therefore, recent statistics in regards to violent crimes are actually higher than studies show (Dale & Smith, 2013). According to the Federal Bureau …show more content…
Operant Learning Theory, speaks to violence as a learned behavior. Our criminal justice system uses punishment in hopes to change criminal behavior including violent offenders. Violence is determined by the reinforcing and punitive consequences that follow behavior. Nathan Azrin, an operant theorist, observed punishment has a learning dynamic that is different from reinforcement .According to Azrin’s theory, punishment does not introduce new behaviors whereas reinforcement can. Additionally, punishment should be used full force as soon as the violent behavior occurs, avoiding chances or warnings because punishment can be unsuccessful if introduced slowly (Dale & Smith,
Another major viewpoint from which violence is studied is the criminal justice system. In the United States, the four primary categories of crime considered a violent crime are: Murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault A violent crime can be defined as, “the use or threat of force against the victim” (Dale & Smith, 2013, p. 374). Statistics suggest violence may be more prominent in the south, between minorities and in poor neighborhoods, however, the most common variable in violent crimes is gender. Men are more likely to be the perpetrator of a violent crime.” Men are more violent to other men and more violent to women” (Dale & Smith, 2013, p. 386).
According to the reading, not all violent crimes are reported in statistics because when violent crimes are reported, typically only the most serious crime is reported; not each individual instance of a crime. For example, a woman may be raped and during the rape she is hit with a stick. The assault with a stick would not routinely be reported. Therefore, recent statistics in regards to violent crimes are actually higher than studies show (Dale & Smith, 2013). According to the Federal Bureau …show more content…
Operant Learning Theory, speaks to violence as a learned behavior. Our criminal justice system uses punishment in hopes to change criminal behavior including violent offenders. Violence is determined by the reinforcing and punitive consequences that follow behavior. Nathan Azrin, an operant theorist, observed punishment has a learning dynamic that is different from reinforcement .According to Azrin’s theory, punishment does not introduce new behaviors whereas reinforcement can. Additionally, punishment should be used full force as soon as the violent behavior occurs, avoiding chances or warnings because punishment can be unsuccessful if introduced slowly (Dale & Smith,