Crime and Individual Choice Essay Example for Free

Crime and Individual Choice Essay Crime is a common phenomenon. Huge investments of any government go towards the containment and apprehension of crime offenders. The more crime acquires various forms and becomes prevalent, the more studies and theories are brought out to analyze the causes and motivations. A look at Australia in the recent past indicates public outcry over increased incidences of crime, although incidences of organized crime are becoming rare, the same cannot be said of petty thefts. Criminologists have over the years stepped up their efforts in examining the motivations of crime. This is an issue that sparks controversy as some sociologists blame it on the society, pointing out that it is the prevalent circumstances in the society that are behind crime. In the light of this row, this paper maintains that crime is as a result of individual choices rather that the prevalent social circumstances. A study of the possible causes of crime is core to understanding crime, the information generated is crucial as afar as government’s response and approaches to fighting crime is concerned. A dearth of information on such a common problem means that law enforcement agencies spend valuable resources and time on addressing the symptoms rather than the causes. It is this fact that motivates criminologists to dig out the real causes of crime. Economists traditionally have not been involved in the analysis of crime, the issue of causes and prevention was seen as being outside the realm of economics. It was seen as a preserve of sociologists and criminologists. This however changed in the late 1960s when economists brought in an argument that represented a radical paradigm shift from afore recognized sociological and criminological theories. They deviated from the societal foundations of the motivation of crime to a more individualized approach. A good theory of crime according to Becker (1968) has to â€Å"dispense with special theories of anomie, psychological inadequacies or inheritance of special traits and simply extend the economist’s usual analysis of choice. † The economic theory of crime focuses on the aspect of an individual’s rational choice as the key motivation behind crime. This is a theory that is based on the assumption that each and every individual engages in crime in their bid to increase their utility. Crime should be regarded as a venture; it is an enterprise which an individual engages in with an intention of gaining something just like in business. This hence means that any one can become a criminal, there is no particular group that is inherently criminal, it is just that people tend to move in and out of crime when there is an opportunity and there are ample conditions for a crime. Just like in business ventures, a potential criminal takes time to plan his activities and also makes decision in regard to the amount of time to be appropriated in each activity so as to maximize the gains. In making a decision of whether or not to engage in crime, an individual takes into account all the possible benefits and also the likely costs. People engage in criminal activities not because they have some natural or psychological motivations but because they have amply taken into consideration the perceived benefits and costs. This means that a certain crime will not be committed if the costs exceed the benefits. In such a case hence it is possible to see a particular crime being the most preferred in comparison to another due to the net benefits associated with that crime. Indeed crime is driven by the resultant benefits and decreased if the punishment meted out is harsh in comparison to the crime. According to the economic theory, â€Å"an increase in the probability and/or severity of punishment (representing costs of criminal behavior) will reduce the potential criminal’s participation in illegitimate activities. † (Philip Cameron) This is what motivates the deterrence theory. It is important to point out that the issue of costs and benefits must be carefully analyzed, the cost does not only revolve around the aspect of incarceration but also encompasses the social cost, this applies even to the perceived benefits. A rational individual wishing to engage in crime hence puts into consideration all these factors and weighs his options, his decision and choice is influenced by the resultant weight, either towards the benefits or towards the costs. If the costs outweigh the benefits, the individuals is unlikely to engage in the crime; the vice versa is also true (Gottfredson Hirschi, 1990). The Rational Choice Theory, on which the economics theory is founded, is derived from the utilitarian belief that indeed human beings are rational; their decisions are independently influenced by the factors of costs and benefits. In the propagation of this theory, several assumptions are made. There is the assumption that people are driven by utility; they are motivated by the urge to increase their happiness which mostly is in terms of wealth. they also are supposed to have goals and they pick the choice that enables them to accomplish such goals. The theory of rational choice can be traced to the early works of Cesare Beccaria who set out to explain crime using the enlightment ideas. According to Cessare, â€Å"people want to experience pleasure and avoid pain, and while criminal acts can bring pleasure of various sorts, possible punishment can bring pain. † (Laura, 2007, 231) This is a theory that has immensely been used in the justice system; it is based on the thinking that for crime to be prevented, punishment must outweigh the benefits of the crime. This is because if the pain is less than the benefits, then there is no motivation to quit crime. Bentham also was in agreement over the aspect of crime boiling down to individual choice, and influenced by the perceived benefits. He noted that â€Å"the profit of the crime is the force which urges a man to delinquency. The pain of the punishment is the force employed to restrain him from it. If the first of these forces is greater, the crime will be committed; if the second, the crime will not be committed. † (Cited in Maurice, 1993, 311) An important aspect that has to be looked at is why some people or groups show a higher prevalence to crime. Indeed, people can not have a similar response to crime. This is so as people have individual differences that affect their preferences. There are those that may prefer honesty, have a higher income and hence value their reputation. The perceived gains and costs are also regarded differently. The prospects of experiencing a certain level of pain might be motivating enough to some people to avoid crime. The decision to engage in one sort of crime and avoid others also follows a similar pattern. It is influenced by opportunity, available information, costs and benefits (Loftin, McDowell, 1982). The view that crime is influenced by rational individual choices has most often than not been put into disrepute by a flurry of other available studies done on the subject. A majority of the existing studies are influenced by the social conditions and environment rather than the individual choice. One of the existing schools of thought that points at the relationship between social factors and crime is the positivist school of thought. According to this thinking, crime and criminality is influence by internal and external factors that are beyond the control of an individual. The answer to criminality lies in the biological, psychological and social foundations. Those that propagate the thinking that crime can be explained by physiological factors do it on the basis that those individuals that have a higher affinity towards crime tend to have some specific physiological traits. This thinking influenced the thought that crime is a natural trait and hence cannot be individually controlled. Some individuals are born criminals and they cannot change this. It is this argument of inherent criminality that was used to fuel the arguments behind the abolishment of capital punishment, on the basis that criminals were being punished for things they had no control on. There is also the thinking that crime can be closely linked to neuroticism and psychotism. In this, crime is seen as a mental disease where the criminal develops a psychotic compulsion to engage in crime. The prevalent theory that challenges the aspect of individual choice in crime is the sociological positivism. This is a theory that traces crime to societal factors such as poverty, subcultures and lack of education. The social disorganization theory for example has been able to establish a positive link between the collapse of important social institutions and crime. The society is held together by institutions such as religion and also the justice system. The collapse of these core institutions contributes to an increase in crime. Poverty and lack of economic development fuels an increase in crime. As the theory claims, places that are characterized by neighborhoods with high population and failed social structure record high instances of crime compared to others. Poverty leads to social disorder and is characterized by physical evidences of collapsed buildings and deteriorating neighborhoods. This leads to what has been referred to as the deterioration concentration effects. Such neighborhoods attract crime (Maurice, 1993). It is important to observe that social factors can indeed fuel crime. There exist immense studies that have focused on crime and ethnicity and have come to conclude that there are certain social conditions that influence such communities to commit crime. Poverty has been pointed out as one of the leading factor, where people resort to crime as a means of acquiring wealth and prosperity. This however does not mean that the role of an individual in making such a choice diminishes. People are influenced by their own rational choice to engage in crime, in consideration of the existing benefits and costs of such a crime, should the cost override the benefits; then crime is reduced. References Maurice P. F. (1993) The psychology of crime: a social science textbook. Cambridge University Press. Laura L. F. (2007) Encyclopedia of juvenile violence. Greenwood Publishing Group. Brantingham, P. J. Brantingham, P. L. (1991). Environmental criminology. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Gottfredson, M. , T. Hirschi (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press. Becker, G. S. (1968) Crime and punishment: an economic approach. Journal of Political Economy, Loftin, C. and McDowell, D. (1982) The police, crime and economic theory. American. Sociological Review Philip M. B Cameron M. Crime, punishment and deterrence in Australia: A further empirical investigation. International Journal of Social Economics retrieved on April 28, 2009 from http://www. uq. edu. au/~ecpbodma/ijse. pdf.

AIDS, Prison, and Preventative Medicine: :: HIV Jail Violence Rape Papers

AIDS, Prison, and Preventative Medicine The word "prison" conjures up thoughts of a dark and deviant subculture, living in a chaotic and destructive environment out of the sight and mind of mainstream America. Hollywood has skewed our views of prisoners, painting them as a seemingly irreparable subclass of humans that are only further downgraded and downtrodden by prison lives filled with violence and rape. Certainly the life of a prisoner is tough, and violence is inevitably present in prison systems where gangs frequently play a prominent role in social organization (Conover 2000). However, misconceptions regarding prisons are numerous, and such misconceptions play an important role in how the AIDS problem in prisons is viewed. For example, one of the most vivid, if not widespread misconceptions surrounding prisons are the stories of forced sexual activity and gang rapes—a view likely to lead an outsider to suspect that little can be done to prevent transmission of HIV among prisoners. In reality, this aspect of prison has been overdramatized and overemphasized, perhaps as a deliberate effort to amplify the purported deterring effect that the threat of a prison sentence has on crime. In fact, Ted Conover reports in his first-hand account of the infamous Sing-Sing, one of New York's most troubled maximum security prisons, that while "prison rape still occurs in New York and elsewhere," by far the most common type of prison sex, "after the autoerotic, is certainly consensual." He goes on to say, "I would even guess that, at least at Sing, sex between officers and inmates is presently more common than forcible sex between inmates" (Conover 2000). Such an example is a prime reason why prison officials, p oliticians and the general public alike need to focus not on the stereotypes of prison behavior, official codes of conduct, and expected or even legal behaviors, but rather what is actually occurring behind prison walls—illegal or legal, for better or for worse. If rape isn't as widespread in prisons as the average moviegoer might be willing to believe—at the very least, it certainly isn't an everyday occurrence—and prisoners are not allowed to have sex or use drugs, then can one expect to see lower incidences of AIDS in prisons? NO! As Conover's statement indicates, much of what goes on in prison isn't "supposed" to take place. Prisoners have sex with each other—most often consensually, but in some instances forcibly—and even with guards; they take drugs, both injecting and non-injecting; they get tattoos; they participate in fights that often involve the shedding of blood.

Celeb Reputation

In today's society, celebrities are seen regularly on the front covers of newspapers, magazines, and on television shows. As a prominence in the public the celebrities must understand what a crucial part they play on kids and young adult’s life. It is their responsibility to make sure they are a pleasing choice for parents to be seen as a role model for their kids. I strongly believe celebrities should be obliged enough to be an admirable choice of a role model because, kids spend most of their time on television and internet to follow them.If the celebrities live a wild life their reputation in the public's mind will be poor, and the celebrities will be viewed as a horrible choice of role models for the youngsters. In addition, it’s important to be a good role model because young kids are easily tempted, and if they find their most favorite person smoking they too will want to spoke. First of all, with information about a celebrity within kid's fingertip, youngster is most likely to follow them rather than view either their friends or parents as role models.More than half of the celebrities in this world live a wild life to receive attention and popularity from the media. Apart from that, youngster tends to follow fashion from their favorite model. That means the kids tends to believe they have to be thin, blonde and wear the latest designer clothes in order to maintain their coolness in public. Some may say that there are other celebrities who do important things in society to educate others well of what is wrong and right. However, when the society looks at the superstars they are in all likelihood to picture the information the media have presented.This means that public picture more Disney stars who are supposed to be good kids turning bad and awful. Celebrities like Britney Spears who was caught on tape wrecking a car because of reasons that could have been solved peacefully are horrible influences on kids. When others are trying hard to tea ch youngsters on not using violence to solve problems, kids who see their favorite superstar doing the exact opposite may cause the kids to believe those things are acceptable, but they are not. Apart from that, celebrities live in a glass window.People judge them for their actions, so it is really important for them to make sure they think more than twice before they act. Since actions speak louder than words, it is important for them to choose wisely about the things they wear and the things they talk because youngster are watching them and following their footsteps minute by minute. It is true that in one way they shape up our society, and that is exactly why celebrities should try their best to have a good reputation in public.People appreciate other who does well this for the society, and not people who cause more problems for others. If the celebrities start to help the society, the public will be more than happy to accept them as heroes or role models for the young ones. Howe ver, we live in a society where most celebrities aren't good role models. They do anything to receive attention from the media and public even if it’s for something bad and inappropriate. Some may argue that the celebrities are just living their life to the fullest, and there is nothing wrong with it.I do agree that there is nothing wrong with living a good wild life, but it shouldn't be when there people around you who adores and worships you because you’re a famous person. If the celebrities did really want to live a wild life they shouldn't have become famous after all. Also, celebrities aren't exactly the right kind of role models because they pressure kids to turn the wrong way. Whenever the celebrities drink and drive, smoke pot, use drugs or talk inappropriate they don't understand what exactly they are doing or whom exactly they are influencing.Research shows that kids who started smoking at young age got brainwashed into believing smoking was glamorous from th eir favorite actor or actress or someone they looked up to. Celebrities should be responsible enough to make the right choices in public, meaning they should learn how to apologize if they do something wrong. Kids these days have access into watching vulgar music videos filled with unacceptable scenes of their favorite actress smoking pot and drinking are not to be seen my young kids. Kids don’t know what exactly the right kind of a good role model is.Whenever someone asks them to be like their role model they picture a celebrity drinking, smoking, and doing all the bad things possible. That's why most celebrities aren't good role models because of the life they live. On the whole, most of the superstars in our society aren't good example for the youngsters. They don't believe they need to set an example for other. However the truth is they need to because people are always following them. These days wherever we look on billboard, magazines, websites, newspaper, and televisio n shows all we see are scandals of celebrities and their weak point.The media have made them into a really horrible choice of an example to the young ones. They have exposed themselves in a wrong way to the public eye to become a subject people won't be happy to talk about. In brief, celebrities aren't good role models because they influence youngster in the wrong way to dress inappropriately, use drugs and start smoking. This cause the celebrities to have a bad reputation in public causing parents to be not happy about having their kids look up to the celebrities.

Cultural Values And Their Effects On Their Behavior

From my understanding, people behave the way they do because of their childhood, culture difference and life experiences. I firmly believe that an individual s personality and the situations they encounter have important effects on their behavior. Personality traits and attitudes stem from circumstances that left a perception. Behaviors trigger instant decisions and response to intuitions or feelings. Emotions are first perceived from a childhood and images remain. Children encounter bullying, lack of parental guidance, approval, insecurities and/or abuse that they are unsure of how to process. This is why I believe that childhood experiences play a major role in how people behave or react. Different cultural lifestyles play an enormous†¦show more content†¦People are scared to own their sexuality due to perceptions in fear of condemnation and exposure to public. However, surrounding yourself with love and acceptance is important. A strong support system is can build you up your self-esteem, self-awareness and self-reflection. It can prevent the ostracism/punishment we refrain from committing crimes deemed as wrong by society. This quotes allows me to grasp that people are not a product of their environment: â€Å"Identifying the beliefs that you want to change and understanding how you formed them is enough for you to break free from their clutch and not let them control your behavior. Awareness is like a fire which melts away everything.† Once you are surrounded by positivity your lifestyle changes. It fills you with hope and perseverance to improve emotionally, mentally physically. Be guarded by acquaintance of like-mined people, who push you to love and believe in yourself. It’s important to make mistakes, receives constructed criticism, be encouraged and provided guidance because life will have their ups and downs. I’m a firm believer that there is power in word. What you speak shall be. It’s best to speak greatness into your life. Life will have its challenges but we have the strength to make it through trails and tribulations. Your environment should have driven individuals who believe in you and your goals because it would make a difference in how you behave. Peace ofShow MoreRelatedEssay On Individualism And Collectivism1162 Words   |  5 PagesThis essay will discuss the influence of cultural dimensions on behavior. A cultural dimension is defined as a perspective of a culture based on its values and cultural norms. In particular, Hofstede’s cultural dimension of individualism vs. collectivism will be discussed. Individualism vs collectivism is defined as the preference of a person only being concerned about oneself and looking after oneself, compared to a person who wants to remain in a closely knitted network. These are some terms withRead MoreOrganizational Divers ity And Cultural Diversity1582 Words   |  7 PagesThe hindrance of cultural struggles that encompass aspects of career growth may be the main reason there are different levels of organizational workforce satisfaction. Even though women have a much greater likelihood of leaving their position, current organization, the organizational cultural differences build high turnover rates. The cultural obstacles preventing occupational development and growth are the prime accounts used when women of all ages are dissatisfied and leaving a position (CoxRead MoreMgmt591 Project Proposal1336 Words   |  6 Pagescan Perceptions and Attributions Of Certain Roles in the Organization Be Controlled Within Organizational Change? Christine Freese 4020 Derby Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 cfreese@ariba.com 770-402-6287 MGMT591- Leadership and Organizational Behavior Joseph  Walkowicz September 29, 2013 * Introduction a) The organization discussed in this research paper is Ariba, Inc (an SAP Company). Ariba is a software and information technology services company located in Sunnyvale, CaliforniaRead MoreIntroduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology1133 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology Anne Solomon Diversity and Cultural Factors in Psychology/PSY450 Professor Iman Turner July 3, 2011 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology Cross-cultural psychology is the critical and comparative study of the effects on human psychology. Cross-cultural psychology draws its conclusions from at least two samples that represent at least two cultural groups. Because cross-cultural psychology is about comparisons, it is crucialRead MoreCultural Values and Personal Ethics Paper1583 Words   |  7 PagesRunning head: CULTURAL VALUES AND PERSONAL ETHICS PAPER Cultural Values and Personal Ethics Paper MBA/500 Foundations of Problem-Based Learning R. Garth Ferrell April 23, 2006 University of Phoenix Cultural Values and Personal Ethics Paper Every day people make decisions that may have profound effect on their personal and/or professional lives as well as the lives of others. The decision people make have a foundation on their personal, cultural, and perhaps organizational values. When theseRead MoreThe Theory Of Cultural Relativism935 Words   |  4 Pagesopinion is indeed relative. Cultural relativism is the view that individual beliefs and values systems are culturally relative. That is, no one ethnic group has the right to say that their particular system of beliefs and values is in any way better than anyone else’s system of beliefs and values. What may be right for one culture might be wrong for another. There is no absolute standard of right and wrong by which to compare and contrast morally conflicting cultural values. We cannot possibly understandRead MoreEssay on Cultural Values And Personal Ethics in Business1497 Words   |  6 Pageshave profound effect on their personal and/or professional lives as well as the lives of others. The decision people make have a foundation on their personal, cultural, and perhaps organizational values. When these values are in disagreement, an ethical dilemma occurs. This article attempts to explain how personal, cultural, and organizational values play significant parts in decision-making. In addition, the foundation of ethical dilemmas can often be traced to conflicting values. This paper willRead MoreBan Increasing Independence With Limits1648 Words   |  7 Pagesreasonable, age-appropriate rules and expectations, and follow through with reasonable consequences for breaking rules (Simpson, 2001). Clearly stated rules and predictable consequences for breaking rules are especially important in the area of risky behavior. To the extent that it has been tested among AI youth the principle still applies. For example, Lonczak et al. (2007) found that more limit setting predicted less substance use among 13-19 year old AI / Alaskan Native youth. AI adolescents whoRead MoreCulture As A Global Enterprise950 Words   |  4 Pageswithin themselves and these qualities exist beyond an individual’s mind and have a widespread effect (Walsham, 20 02). Schein (1985) described a model based on the three levels of culture consisting of the basic assumptions, values, and the artifacts and creations. As summarized by Schein (1985), the first level of basic assumptions is the core component of culture, and mostly comprises of human behavior, truth, reality, and individual relationships. These basic assumptions develop with time whenRead MoreIntercultural Abilities Nurses Should Have951 Words   |  4 Pageshealth beliefs, values, and practices. Cultural views of individuals influence their perceptions and decisions of health attitudes and health cares; in order to care for people across different languages and cultures, nurses need to develop cultural sensitivity, awareness, competence, and humility (Creasia Parker, 2007). Among these, cultural competent and humility are the foundation to provide optimal quality care within diverse groups of people. Overview of Cutural Sensitivity, Cultural Awareness