Other Theories for Why Crime Happens

Psychological, Biological, Sociological, Classical

What is the difference between Mass and Serial

Killing?GENERALLY – serial killing is over time and mass murder is considered four or more victims at one time (or within hours).

Mass Murderers Fall into 3 Types

Family Annihilators

Individuals with mental defects

Disgruntled Workers (going postal)

Mass Murders

Different sources will say that genocide qualifies as mass murder.

So what was Charles Starkweather?

Psychopath or Mass Murderer?

Other Psychological Theories

Behavioral conditioning The right rewards

and punishments must be offered to get the desired behavior.

Behavioral Conditioning

Crime is the result of inappropriate behavioral conditioning. We can condition

people to act another way.

Bedford, New Hampshire 2006

Crimes Associated With Behavioral Conditioning?

Domestic Assault

Burglary / Theft?

Gang-related?

Classical Theory – Another Psychological Motivation for

CrimeCrime is caused by individuals free will.

It is a choice people consciously make.

Punishment must be swift and certain to stop the behavior.

       

Classical Theory and Types of Crimes

Theft / Burglary / Assaults?

Juvenile Crime?

Domestic Violence?

DUI offenses

Drug offensives

Prostitution / Panhandling?

Classical Theory Believes that ONLY punishment deters

crimeCrime is only deterred IF punishment is more painful and swifter than any potential reward or pleasure that was expected.

Two Types of Crimes in Classical Theory

Instrumental Crimes Murder, Burglary, Fraud

PLANNING and financial rewards seen

Expressive Crimes Murder, Rape, DUI,

Drugs Where pleasure is the

primary goal

Which should receive a harsher punishment?

Biological Reasons for Crime

“Criminal genes” cause deviant behavior???

Chromosome Theory – XYY Syndrome

Environmental contaminants influence on body.

Biological Reasons for Crime

Hormonal changes, nutrition and physical trauma reasons for crime.

Sociological Reasons for Crime

The structure of society creates crime. Rich v. Poor

Higher crime where rich / poor mix.

Laws created to protect rich from poor.

Michael Milken v. Vernon Webster