Explanation of Crime - 2232 Words

Name of Course: The Explanation of Crime Code of Course: CMY3701 Semester Code: 02 - Second Semester Assignment Number: 01 - Compulsory Student Name: Rià «tte du Bruyn Student Number: 4238-255-6 Unique Number: 363036 Assignment Closing Date: 22 August 2013 Rational Choice Theory Table of Contents Section A: 15 marks 3 1. Introduction 3 2. Definition of Rational Choice 3 3. The Six propositions of Rational Choice (Joubert 2009:19-20) 3 3.1 First: Crimes are deliberate acts, committed with the intention of benefiting the offender 3 3.2 Second: Offenders try to make the best decisions they can, given the risks and uncertainty involved 3 3.3 Third: Offender decision-making varies considerably according to the nature of the†¦show more content†¦They will decide if committing the crime and being caught is worth the personal gain of the crime. They will sometimes have clouded judgement about crime due to bounded rationality. This recognizes that in the real world, action often has to be taken on the basis of decisions made under less than perfect circumstances. Criminal decision-making is by its very nature, likely to be prone to error because of the constraints under which it often has to operate. Example: A burglar (that needs money) that burglars someone`s home (For example his previous boss`s house that is situated in a security complex with 24 hour guards) because he hates his boss (He owes him a great deal of money) even though there are much more easier houses to have access too. (Example of student) 3.3 Third: Offender decision-making varies considerably according to the nature of the crime Offenders make varied decisions based on the type of crime being considered. The offenders` decision-making process is different for each crime. The analysis of decision-making thus needs to be made with reference to specific categories of crime. It is constrained by the time available, by the availability of relevant information and by the offender’s own cognitive abilities. Example: Hackers took $45 Million in A.T.M. Scheme. Cybercriminals needShow MoreRelatedEffectiveness of the Individual Explanation in Comparison to Social Explanation of Crime937 Words   |  4 Pagesthe effectiveness of the individual explanation in comparison to social explanation of crimes, I will draw upon the theory of positivism and strain. There are controversies in which evaluation is the most effective. Unquestionably, both standpoints do have it limitations and strength, I will draw upon case examples and researches of both views in order to critically assess both effectiveness in explaining the occurrence of crimes. Individual explanation of crime is an approach ought to convey thatRead MoreThe Biological and Sociological Explanations of Crime1303 Words   |  5 Pageswill be aiming to accurately compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of both the biological and sociological explanations of crime. Firstly, I will give a brief overview of what both the biological and sociological explanations of crime mean. I will then create a paragraph that explains the strengths and weaknesses of the theories within the biological explanation of crime; such as Lombroso’s ‘Criminal Man theory’ and Sheldon’s ‘body type’ theory Chromosome’ theory as they are relativelyRead MoreExplanation to Crime and Deviancy Essay1446 Words   |  6 Pages True Crime or Moral Panic? Evaluate and apply sociological theories relating to crime and deviance Explanations of Crime and Deviancy Crime - an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. Deviance-the fact or state of diverging from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior. Crime and deviance are seemingly effortlessly defined by the Oxford dictionary. However sociological prospectives have differing views on crime and the explanationsRead MoreEssay on An Explanation of Corporate Crime856 Words   |  4 PagesAn Explanation of Corporate Crime This analytical source review will analyse and detail the views and opinions of four different sources including: The sociology of corporate crime: an obituary, Corporate Crime, Corporate Crime at the tip of the iceberg and White Collar and Corporate Crime. The topic this review will be primarily concerned with is corporate crime, the topic will be examined and the notion of ignorance towards the subject will be addressed. HoweverRead MoreOutline and Assess Marxist Explanations of Crime1208 Words   |  5 PagesOutline and assess Marxist explanations of crime Marxist and neo-Marxist approaches and explanations of crime are arguably some of the most controversial, for the reason that they state that it is the ruling class that is responsible for criminalising the working classes, which goes directly against what official statistics and Functionalists believe. However, Marxism and Functionalism do share a similarity in that both believe structures and institutions of society play a very important roleRead MoreOutline and Evaluate Functionalist Explanation of Crime.1442 Words   |  6 Pagessees the source of crime and deviance located in the structure of society. Although crime and deviance might be stigmatised in society, some sociologist think it is important to have it occur and there are some benefits to it. Durkheim (1982) argued that crime is an inevitable feature of social life, because individuals are composed to different influences and circumstances, and so not everyone can be equally committed to the shared values and moral beliefs of society. Despite crime and deviance’s threatRead MoreSce1: Psychological Explanation of the Causes of Crime1502 Words   |  7 PagesPsychological Explanation of the Causes of Crime Psychological-pertaining  to  the  mind  or  to  mental  phenomena  as  the subject  matter  of  psychology. -To account for criminal motivation in people, criminologists have used various psychology theories that attempt to explain human intellectual and emotional development. These theories can be divided into three categories: a. Moral Development Theories describe a sequence of developmental stages that peopleRead MoreOutline and Assess Marxist Explanations of the Causes of Crime719 Words   |  3 PagesOutline and assess Marxist explanations of the causes of crime (50 marks) It is to a large extent that Marxism is a useful theory in explaining the causes of crime. This is because it highlights the inequalities in society and how the ruling class owns the means of production. This fails to show reasons why not everyone is facing status frustration and lower income turn to crime. One way in which Marxism is a useful theory for explaining the causes of crime is the concept of capitalism, criminogenicRead MoreWhite Collar and Corporate Crime Pose for Explanations of Criminality1010 Words   |  4 PagesWhat Kinds of Problems do White Collar and Corporate Crime Pose for Explanations of Criminality Until relatively recently, the concept of the criminal was that of a person who, somehow disadvantaged and disenfranchised from society, decided to ignore societal laws and concentrate on increasing his personal worth at the expense of society. The idea of the criminal as the outsider became an accepted part of criminological theory, so much so that almost all modern theories of criminology focus onRead MoreOutline and Assess Sociological Explanations of Gender Difference in Patterns of Crime.2210 Words   |  9 PagesCrime is the when an individual or group commit an act against the law. Deviance is an act that is against the social norm and is labelled as deviant. Official statistics have proven that 80% of all crimes are committed by males. However the study of criminology have tended to be dominated by males, therefore the studies are done by men about men. The official statistics suggest that gender is perhaps the most significant single factor in whether an individual is conv icted of crime. The official