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Post by tw57708 on Mar 1, 2007 8:14:25 GMT -5
I'm pretty new to this, but just out of curiosity, I have a few questions:
1 Why do people commit crimes?
2. Why, over the past few years, are we seeing such an increase in crime (violent crime, for that matter)?
3. What are some methods we could introduce (let's say, if YOU were mayor or police chief) to curb this crime?
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Post by pacino2367 on Mar 1, 2007 8:53:32 GMT -5
In review, experience has brandished one certain truth to criminal behavior: people are responsible for their own actions and they exercise (actively or passively) free will in deliberating their choices.
In support of this observation, utilitarian criminologists, Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794) and Jeremy Bentham (1748-1833), suggest the core concept that (a) people choose all behavior, including criminal behavior, (b) their choices can be controlled by the fear of punishment, and (c) the more severe, certain, and swift the punishment, the greater its ability to control criminal behavior.
In 1975, political scientist, James Q. Wilson, suggested in his book "Thinking about Crime" (and Larry J. Siegel wrote) persons who are likely to commit crime lack inhibition against misconduct, value the excitement and thrills of breaking the law, have a low stake in conformity, and are willing to take greater chances than the average person. If they could be convinced that their actions will bring severe punishment, only the totally irrational will be willing to engage in crime.
Prior to engaging in criminal behavior, most offenders quickly evaluate and consider the "Pleasure vs. Pain" theorem. Crime theorist, Robert Clarke, proposed three types of crime prevention tactics: increase the effort needed to commit the crime, increase the risks of committing the crime, and reduce the rewards for committing the crime.
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mikey
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mikey on Mar 1, 2007 11:55:04 GMT -5
Yo pacino2367,
Just out of curosity - Where are morals in the theorys you list?
It seems most people do not have them anymore!
Mikey
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Post by pacino2367 on Mar 2, 2007 12:02:04 GMT -5
Good question!
The listed theories are, of course, open for intepretation which water the seeds of criminology. The utilitarian hypothesis resonates with my observations and ideology. Karma has a very potent recoil, the effects of which may be either immediate or delayed. Everything will always be balanced in any phase of life; whether it be directly initiated by humans or the environment in which we live.
It is my belief that criminal behavior maneuvers through a model of concentric circles. The center circle belongs to that of the family. The family teaches an individual their morals, ethics, values, etc. If there is a collapse in family structure, the subject is then caught in the net of society, which is a stage (circle) that surrounds the family. Law enforcement is obviously a division/entity within society, the agents of which come into contact with subjects who have little or no moral foundation.
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