Nature or Nurture: Criminal Behaviors

     Crime is defined in many ways but the most often used is, a serious offense, especially one in violation of morality. People who are accused of committing crimes usually have a reason of doing wrong. I will be explaining the different theories of many intelligent psychologists.
     
      The first theory is called Choice Theory, believed by Dr. William Glasser, MD.  This theory states that the offender is completely rational when making the decision to commit a crime. Based on the data, people are committing these crimes based on personal greed, revenge, need, anger, lust, jealousy, and vanity. Normally classic criminology says that "people have free will to choose criminal behaviours and that the crime can be controlled only by the fear of criminal areas".
     
       The second theory is the Trait Theory, thought up by Cesare Lombroso. This view is that crime is a product of abnormal, biological, or physical traits. even though this study is considered a bias and not a scientific fact, it is often used as a explanation of the offender's motivation. Contemporary theorists do not suggest that a single or biological attribute to an offender explains all criminality.

       Biocriminologists believe that criminals are genetically predetermined. Their theory is that the body needs a stable amount of minerals and chemicals for normal brain functions and growth.
     
     The third theory is Psychodynamic Traits, developed by Sigmund Freud. Freud believed that every person carries "residue of the most significant emotional attachments of our childhood, which then guides our future interpersonal relationships" Theorists believe that offenders have identity dominated personalities. This is saying that they lose control of their ego and their alter ego takes over . This impulse causes problems and increased pleasure seeking drives.

     The fourth theory is the Strain Theory. This theory states that a crime is a function of the conflict between people's goals and the means in how they obtain them. Theorists argue that even though social and economic goals are common to all people no matter what, the ability to obtain these goals is class dependent. Members of lower economy are unable to achieve success through conventional means.

     The fifth theory is Social Process Theory. This states that crime is a function of individual socialization, and and the interactions with people have with organizations and society. Theorists believe that the best way to fix the Social Process Theory is learning from the past issues.

     Although there are differences in many theories, they all share a common belief. Choice theories really focus on the individuals decision and control of themselves. Trait theories rely on research which proves that one's neurological process and conditioning is a large contributing factor. Social theories lean towards environmental influences and the choices they make. I personally believe in all of these theories and on the background of a offenders life.

    

Work Cited

Webb, David, A. History of Forensic Psychology. Retrieved June 15, 2008 from Ezine Articles

website: http://ezinearticles.com/?Forensic‐Psychology:‐Key‐Historical‐Figures&id=257368




Bartol, Anne M. and Bartol, Curt A. (2005). Criminal behavior: A psychosocial approach. Upper

Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.