A Comparison Of Bonnie And Clyde

Over the years, there have been countless theories developed with the aim of defining and predicting why criminals behave the way they do. Some theories are less common than others, but many have evolved and are currently used in many criminal studies. Contemporary criminologists combine relevant aspects of psychology, sociology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their understanding of criminal behavior. The United States has had an abundant number of notorious criminals that have been assimilated into our pop culture. Two of the most notorious, as some would argue, are the infamous crime duo of Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow, commonly referred to simply as, Bonnie and Clyde (cite). Many criminologists, and

The gang traveled all across the Midwest during the Great Depression, robbing people and killing when confronted or cornered. Bonnie & Clyde may be most remembered for the dozen-or-so bank robberies that they orchestrated, however, they both preferred robbing small stores or gas stations out in the country. Although the accurate number may never be revealed, the gang is believed to have killed no less than nine police officers plus several civilians. The gang’s exploits captured the attention of the American public during a time known as the “Public Enemy Era” (1931 – 1935), an era that categorizes many individuals from that period as criminal and extremely damaging to our society (cite). Bonnie & Clyde’s spree of crime finally came to a resounding halt on May 23, 1984. The couple was ambushed and killed by a posse of law officers in broad daylight on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Rational Choice theory is founded in Classical theory, and its claim is that there are three “actors” that serve as the models for criminal behavior. The three actors are the rational, the predestined, and the victimized. The rational actor chooses to commit crimes, but can be prevented from doing so if there are stringent punishments that follow. The predestined actor is unable to control their criminal urges and are encouraged by their environment to commit crimes. The third actor is the victimized, who is a victim of an unequal society, but this hypothetical society can be reformed with new legislation. It could be argued that Bonnie & Clyde can represent any or all of these actors depending on your own perspective. They appear very rational in many ways, even though society and their environments both also likely played roles in their criminality. The couple got a mutual rush whenever they broke the law. Yes, they were poor and enjoyed the spoils of bank robbing, but they both sought a personal pleasure out of crime. Bonnie & Clyde had free will when they acted on their impulses and desires, and ultimately they were notorious outlaws because they wanted to