On February 7, 2015, there was a shooting in the Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, Pennsylvania where only three people were taken to the hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds. Luckily, nobody was pronounced dead, but the two men (one was the intended target) were in critical condition. The woman who was also shot was in stable condition. Police officials told the reporters that the shooter, seventeen year old, Tarod Thornhill had an intended target when he entered the mall (Associated Press, 2015). Unfortunately, two other bystanders who where near the scene where also part of his outrage towards this one particular person. Tarod Thornhill managed to escape after the shooting, but because the mall had surveillance video, police officials were able to get an image of how he looked. Since Police Officials now know how he looked they started to run his image through, and since he was on many of those …show more content…
The next day police officials were at his home in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, ready to arrest him. After the arrest of Tarod Thornhill, police officials took him to Allegheny County Jail where he is currently “pending arraignment on charges as an adult of aggravated assault, attempted homicide and recklessly endangering other people” (Associated Press, 2015). In 1990, a new theory was brought to the public’s eye, which is able to explain all types of crime at all times. This new theory was called the theory of low self-control otherwise known as the general theory of crime. Travis Hirschi and Michael Gottfredson were the two theorists that came together to the form general theory of crime. The theory recognized that many individuals are not always born well. These individuals are “born predisposed toward selfish, self-centered,
Furthermore, criminal behaviour is learned, and when this behaviour is been taught, it entails techniques of committing the crime which at times can be complicated and other times quite simple; ' the specific direction of the motives, drives, rationalisation and attitudes.' (Newburn, 2013, pp. 394). Although this theory is rarely used when theorising white collar crime, it is nonetheless an important factor in many offending. For example, a study carried out by Geis of an electrical equipment company found that a lot of manufacture encouraged price fixing by their employee as a way of coping with market pressure. Geis pointed out that these activities was an established way of life where those that are involved learns attitudes and rationalisation that favour and support such misconduct. (Newburn, 2013). A second theory was given by Hirschi and Gottfredson, which is called the Self Control Theory. This theory focus on human nature and the significance of gratification. The central idea of this theory is that individuals peruse self interest and self gratification and the avoidance of pain. In regards to this theory crime is seen as a way in which individuals maximise pleasure and minimise pain. Furthermore, they argued that the differences that there are between those that chooses not to be involved in criminal activities and those that choose to
Each of these theories had led to many new theories used today, such as the Rational Choice theory, Biosocial and Psychological Theory, Critical Theory, Cultural Deviance Theory, Life Course Theory, and many more. The one thing in common with every theory is that they all explain at least one behavioral factor that leads to crime. Today, all these theories, and more, are researched and taken into account when trying to understand why a criminal does what they do.
This essay will outline how crime theories are able to assist in recognizing the causes of criminal activity, as well as demonstrating two criminological theories to two particular crimes. Overviews of trends, dimensions and victim/offenders characteristics of both crime groups will be specified. The two particular crimes that will be demonstrated throughout this essay are; Violent Crime (focusing on Assault) being linked with social learning theory and White Collar crime (focusing on terrorism) being linked to General Strain theory. In criminology, determining the motive of why people commit crimes is crucial. Over the years, many theories have been developed and they continue to be studied as criminologists pursue the best answers in eventually diminishing certain types of crime including assaults and terrorism, which will be focused on.
How can theories help us to understand criminal behavior and to design strategies intended to control such behavior?
I believe the theory that best explains why crime happens is the psychoanalytic perspective. I believe this is the best theory because it focuses more on the wants and acts of the criminal rather an their personality or lack of control. The psychoanalytic perspective more accurately describes a reason to why people commit crimes. Not all individuals could be identified from a personality trait or low levels of self control. Therefore, the psychoanalytic perspective would give the best explanation to why crime happens.
In the years to follow, the media has been quick to provide information and at times that information has been incorrect and at the cost of the people they have mistaking identified. After the Boston Marathon Bombing, two men dubbed the “bag men” by news reports were identified as possible suspects even though they had nothing to do with the attacks (Sack, 2013). As of recently in the Phoenix metro area, the local freeways have been facing a series of random shootings. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has already call the unknown suspect a domestic terrorist even though the person or persons are not known nor are their motivations. A few days ago, every news agency was reporting a major break in the case and reporting an arrest in the freeway shootings. The man accused had his name and picture placed on many news outlets as being the freeway shooter. However, the AZ Department of Public Safety is only charging the man with a marijuana charge. AZ DPS has also publicly announced that the man is not their primary suspect and that they still believe the actual shooter is still at large. It is possible that the man is connected, and criminal charges related to the shootings will occur. However, it is also possible that this man has falsely been painted as the serial freeway shooter and a terroist while the real suspect is still looking for more
On one very sad day last year in 2014 there was a shooting at parliament hill . A man named Zack killed one soldier. Tons of people were stacking up furniture blocking doors and praying for their lives. Police came as soon as possible, but it was very risky for people to be anywhere near the building because shots were heard multiple times. There was a policeman near by but he had to wait outside for backup because it was to dangerous to go in alone. Eventually the backup came and there was a total of fifteen policemen at the parliament hill building. The man made a video saying why he did this just after the shooting and the police did not catch him in the act, but they did eventually arrest
Trying to understand why crime happens if a very important concept. Throughout history, criminologist have debated on which theory of crime is most accurate. Currently, social bond and social learning theory are two of the leading theories in the criminological world. Between these two theories there are a variety of differences and similarities. In addition to these theories Gottfredson and Hirschi have published a book where they use the concept of self control to describe crime. Analyzing these three theories can be important to understanding the current criminological world.
Theories of crime causation get to the fundamental characteristics of human nature. Theories of crime causation can be separated into trait theories and choice theories. Both types of theories make valid points about the causes of crime, yet they are have different implications for preventing the causes of crime. Thesis: Trait theories and choice theories both assume that humans are self-interested, but their conceptions of self-interest limit the applicability of each to certain types of crime. Trait theories appear more suited for explaining the causes of violent crime, whereas choice theories are more appropriate to property crimes or economic crimes.
The second theory I would like to discuss is the Strain theory. The strain theory basically states that crime breeds in the gap, imbalance, or disjunction between culturally induced aspirations for economic success and structurally distributed possibilities of achievement. The theory assumes fairly uniform economic success aspirations across social class and the theory attempts to explain why crime is concentrated among the lower classes that have the least legitimate opportunities for achievement. It is the combination of the cultural emphasis and the social structure which produces intense pressure for
To this day, there are several questions that have remained unanswered when talking about their theory. As well as criticisms. The general crime theory has failed to address ecological patterns in the crime rate. There is not a lot of evidence of regional differences in self control or impulsivity. The views of Gottfredson and Hirschi is that opportunity is controlled by culture and the economy. Something that was not recognized by the general crime theory is that environments can interact with personality to shape behaviors.
As the nineties began, the general theory of crime became the most prominent criminological theory ever proposed; furthermore, it is empirically recognized as the primary determinant in deviant and criminal behaviors. Known also as the self-control theory, the general theory of crime can most simply be defined as the absence or lack of self-control that an individual possesses, which in turn may lead them to commit unusual and or unlawful deeds. Authored by educator Michael R. Gottfredson and sociologist Travis Hirschi, A General Theory of Crime (1990) essentially “dumbed down” every theory of crime into two words, self-control. The widely accepted book holds that low self-control is the main reason that a person initiates all crimes, ranging from murder and rape to burglary and embezzlement. Gottfredson and Hirschi also highlighted, in A General Theory of Crime (1990), that low self-control correlates with personal impulsivity. This impulsive attitude leads individuals to become insensitive to deviant behaviors such as smoking, drinking, illicit sex, and gambling (p. 90). The extreme simplicity, yet accuracy, of Gottfredson’s and Hirschi’s general theory of crime (self-control theory), make it the most empirically supported theory of criminal conduct, as well as deviant acts.
On the other hand, theorists have taken a different stand point to explain criminal and delinquent behaviour. Firstly, Edwin Sunderlands (1939) theory of differential
I believe a weakness of this theory is that it does not explain why everyone commits crime. It also shifts the blame from the individual who committed the crime to the factors that may have caused the crime to take place. An example would be instead of the person who steals being blamed for the crime, the blame is then on the environment because it is a low
Many people have different theories as to why crime exists. Some believe crime happens because of the individual’s culture, education (or lack there of), or even their race. Others believe crime is associated with whom we surround ourselves with. There are three sociological theories that suggest why crime happens in society; they are social learning theory, social control theory, and social reaction (labeling) theory. These theories suggest it is our relationships and social interactions that influence our behavior.