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. Reckless behaviour as self-control Imprudent behaviour is included by some scholars when attempting to measure self-control and the majority of these scholars forms a concept of reckless behaviour as a dependant element (Dodson, 2009:61). However, Gottfredson and Hirschi (1993:50) state that reckless behaviour can also be utilised as a lone element which can specify self-control. Evans, Cullen, Burton, Dunaway and Benson (1997:475) utilised reckless behaviour as a dependant element, while testing their theory, as well as an independent element during future testing. The dependant measure used by Evans and his colleagues was successful, however the independent measure proved controversial when indicating self-control (Dodson, 2009:61). …show more content…
However, with the great success of the general theory of crime came extreme controversy (Goode, 2008:20). Gottfredson and Hirschi’s theory has been analytically evaluated by many other criminologists, and have even been completely disregarded by some criminologists. Shortly after the publication of A General Theory of Crime, Title (1991:1610) stated that this theory is capable of convincing readers of something which is not the entire truth. Furthermore, Gottfredson and Hirschi’s theory results in a “confrontational approach” which does not fulfil the theoretical needs in the field of criminology (Tittle, 1991:1611). Geis (2000:44) is of the opinion that the general theory of crime has certain shortcomings, specifically in terms of their white-collar crime analysis. The fact that Gottfredson and Hirschi so boldly claims to have a general theory of crime which can be applied to all criminal acts and criminal behaviour is regarded as a questionable statement (Goode, …show more content…
The general theory of crime is praised for its remarkable and aspiring approach to crime, which brought about a new way of explaining crime (Goode, 2008:20). However, the theory is also criticised for not addressing important issues and completely disregarding evidence, which may be inconsistent with their theory (Polk, 1991:576). With a vast amount of opinions on the general theory of crime, it is easy for readers to become confused (Goode, 2008:20). Thus, resulting in a controversial outlook on Gottfredson and Hirschi’s
In this essay I will first explain what a Social Control Theory is and how Hirschi developed his theory ‘Social Bond’ from this, I will also discuss further development of his theory with Gottfredson in a ‘General Theory of Crime’. I will then discuss and consider the criticisms of both theories before providing my own conclusion, including why his theory is still relevant in today’s society.
Akers, R, & Sellers, C. (2009). Criminological theories: introduction, evaluation, and application. New York: Oxford University Press, USA.
Young, J. (1981). Thinking seriously about crime: Some models of criminology. In M. Fitzgerald, G. McLennan, & J. Pawson (Eds.), Crime and society: Readings in history and society (pp. 248-309). London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
There are side effects to almost every action people take. Getting rid of insects in a home can cause harm to the environment, or even poison pets within the household. Studying for a test can cause lack of sleep, and ultimately poorer health. Throwing away the remains of an unfinished dinner plate discards what could have been valuable nutrients for starving children in Africa. How one determines intentionality of an action has been a controversial topic for many. Joshua Knobe has conducted experiments for explaining the proper analysis of intentional action, while Uttich and Lombrozo have conducted experiments exploring the relationship between norms and mental state ascriptions in terms of intentional actions. This paper will review the results of one of Knobe’s studies, explain the side-effect effect in the perspective of Uttich and Lombrozo, and offer an alternative explanation to the side-effect effect.
During the 1970’s to the early 1990’s there had emerged two new approaches to the study of crime and deviance. The discipline of criminology had expanded further introducing right and left realism, both believe in different areas and came together in order to try and get a better understanding on crime and prevention. There were many theorists that had influenced the realism approaches such as; Jock Young (Left Wing) and James Wilson (Right Wing).
Winslow, R. W., & Zhang, S. (2008). Contemporary Theories of Crime. Criminology: a global perspective (). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
...bert, SJ, Joubert E, Oven S, M 2009, The Explanation Of Crime (Studyguide for CMY3701), University of South Africa
Views on crime causation vary, from theorist to theorist. Some theorists have presented theories that assume sociological, biological, or psychological influences to cause people to commit crimes (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Other theorists have presented theories that focus on the oppression of the individual, the group, and society by self-imposed influences. Theories in this category are critical theories and are a product of misconceptions that were prevalent in the United States during the 1950’s (Bohm & Vogel, 2011). Because of this, various forms of criminology were created to set the record straight about how citizens were being misled about the true nature of current events.
Social-desirability is when participants give answers on questionnaires they deem socially acceptable rather than answers that truly reflect their personality and this phenomenon can sometimes act as a confounding variable (McDonald, 2008; Paulhus & Vazire, 2007). Aforementioned, self-report measures only analyse an individual's general behaviour over-time, not their response in particular situation. Therefore, to measure this type or state-like impulsivity, behavioural or laboratory measures are required (Reynolds, Ortengren, Richards & Wit,
There are a number of theories of crime. The most prevalent theories are; general social disorganization theory, rational choice, strain theory, biological theory, social control theory and social learning theory. The aforementioned concepts all seek to the answer the question of “why” of crime. Each offer their own unique hypothesis on what drives an individual to commit crime. This writing will provide a cursory overview of the above listed theories.
...good (attitude), and when they think their substantial others would like them to carry out the behavior (subjective norm), this particular results in a greater intention (motivations) and they are more prone to do thusly. Within cognitive mind-set, attitudes tend to be recognized as among the major aspects that manual human behaviors. Acknowledging which not all behaviors are below complete voluntary control, the idea of behavioural objectives has been released as an advanced, which moderates the effect of behaviour on behaviors. A behavioural intention displays a person’s decision to do the behavior, and the concept behind presenting the concept is the fact that a decision to interacting a specific behaviour is going to be realized just to the level that the individual is incomplete control associated with performing the actual behaviour ( Ajzen& Fishbein, 1975).
Criminology has always been quite a mystery. Figuring out why people commit crimes is one of the major components of studying criminology. Do most criminals act rationally after weighing the costs of their offense? Is the environment or community ever to blame for an individual to commit a crime? Do mental diseases or even biological defects factor into whether a person will go on to live a life of crime? Over the past two hundred years many scientist have developed explanations to try to answer these questions. In fact, the number of explanations of why people commit crimes sometimes looks about equal to the number of criminologists. I explore these questions and more about the topic of criminology in the following paper.
Different schools of thought propose varying theoretical models of criminality. It is agreeable that criminal behaviour is deep rooted in societies and screams for attention. Biological, Social ecological and psychological model theories are key to helping researchers gain deeper comprehension of criminal behaviour and ways to avert them before they become a menace to society. All these theories put forward a multitude of factors on the outlooks on crime. All these theories have valid relevancy to continuous research on criminal behaviour.
In the science of criminology there are an abundance of theories, or perspectives to make sense and achieve comprehension as to why criminals’ exhibit felonious behaviors. Two of these theories include: classical perspective and positivist perspective. Classical perspective ascertains that people think before they proceed with criminal actions. For example when one commits a crime, it is because the individual decided that it was advantageous to commit that crime. In contrast to the classical perspective, positivist perspective rejects the idea that each individual makes a conscious, rational choice to commit a crime; rather, some individuals are anomalous in intelligence, social acceptance, or some other way, and that causes them to commit crimes. There are several variables evident in discerning classical perspectives from positivist perspectives: the time period in which the theories were constructed, psychological motivations versus physiological motivations, and their ideas of lawful reprimand.
Gottfredson, Michael R., and Travis Hirschi. A General Theory of Crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford UP, 1990. Print.