Chapter 3 CJS 11-20

Rational Choice Strategies

General Deterrence Strategies

• General deterrence seeks to prevent crime by instilling a fear of consequences in potential offenders, based on the premise that the anticipated punishment discourages criminal actions.

• The existence of punishment aims to persuade rational criminals that engaging in crime carries risks that outweigh potential benefits, contributing to an overall reduction in crime rates.

• Techniques: This approach typically involves various methods, such as:

  • Death Penalty: A debated strategy intended to serve as a potent deterrent for the most serious offenses.

  • Mandatory Sentences: Statutes requiring fixed sentencing for certain crimes, thereby minimizing judges' discretion to adjust penalties based on unique circumstances.

  • Aggressive Policing: Enhanced law enforcement visibility and proactive strategies aimed at deterring crime and swiftly capturing offenders.

• Issues: Despite these deterrents, many offenders may not experience fear of punishment due to factors like:

  • Low assumptions of arrest and punishment, which can make committing crime seem worthwhile.

  • Exposure to punishment in crime-ridden areas can lessen its deterrent effect, resulting in a disregard for consequences.

Specific Deterrence Strategies

• Specific deterrence targets known offenders with the goal of discouraging their future criminal acts through significant consequences.

• Techniques: This strategy encompasses:

  • Harsh Prisons: Implementing severe prison conditions to discourage inmates from reoffending upon release.

  • Long Sentences: Extended prison terms designed to keep offenders away from society for significant periods, thereby limiting chances for further crimes.

  • Stiff Fines: Financial penalties that can negatively impact an offender's financial situation, serving as a disincentive to commit crimes again.

• Issues: Several challenges are associated with this approach:

  • The possibility of defiance among offenders who may continue criminal behavior regardless of severe penalties.

  • The social stigma faced by former offenders, which may create barriers to reintegrating into society, pushing them back into crime.

Situational Crime Prevention

• Situational crime prevention aims to reduce criminal opportunities by modifying environments to deter offenders from selecting specific targets.

• Focus: Effective crime reduction occurs when potential offenders believe that the risks involved (e.g., detection, punishment) are greater than the rewards of criminal activity.

• Techniques: This method employs strategies such as:

  • Security Cameras: Surveillance systems that increase the risk of apprehension for would-be criminals.

  • Alarms and Warning Signs: Indicators that alert potential offenders to protective measures in place, discouraging criminal acts.

  • Item Marking: Strategies that make stolen goods identifiable, reducing their desirability for thieves.

• Issues: The effectiveness of these measures can decrease over time (known as extinction) or result in crime location shifts, where offenders simply target less protected areas instead of reducing overall crime.

Trait Theories

• In the late 19th century, criminologists argued that criminal behavior stems from ingrained biological and psychological characteristics rather than purely from human choice.

• Cesare Lombroso: Recognized as a pioneer in criminology, he researched inmates with the aim of identifying physical traits associated with criminality, asserting that certain characteristics suggest "atavistic" tendencies.

• While Lombroso’s theories lost favor in the 20th century, there has been a revival of biological theories linking physical traits to crime.

Biosocial Theories

• Biosocial theories assert that behavior results from the interplay of biological traits and social influences, highlighting that positive social settings can counteract adverse biological factors.

Biochemical Factors

• Environmental Contaminants: Long-term exposure to toxic substances, like lead or mercury, is associated with impaired brain function and heightened antisocial tendencies.

• Food Products: Nutritional deficiencies and specific dietary additives can exacerbate aggression and behavioral problems.

• Hormonal Influences: Elevated testosterone levels are correlated with violent behavior, while cortisol variations affect aggression levels.

Neurological Factors

• Neurological deficits present from birth may predispose individuals to antisocial characteristics, observable in conditions like ADHD and Conduct Disorder (CD).

• Dysfunctional neurotransmitter activity, particularly regarding serotonin, can lead to increased aggression in affected individuals.

Genetic Factors

• Contemporary theories suggest that genetics can influence criminal predisposition, with studies indicating more similarity in antisocial behavior among identical twins compared to fraternal twins.

Criminal Justice and Technology

• Neuroimaging Studies: Advancements like MRI scans reveal differences in brain function between impulsive and non-impulsive individuals, suggesting potential applications for predicting criminal behavior and chances of reoffending.

• These studies have identified links between specific brain structures and the probability of recidivism, adding a neuroscience component to criminological investigation.

Critical Thinking

• The implications of employing brain scans in the criminal justice system pose ethical dilemmas, especially surrounding issues of privacy and the reliability of scientific evaluations regarding guilt or innocence.

Psychological Theories

• Psychodynamic Theory: This theory posits that early developmental challenges can lead to personality disorders connected to criminal behavior.

• Crime and Mental Illness: Research indicates a heightened prevalence of mental disorders among repeat offenders, with conditions such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) commonly linked to antisocial behavior.

• Cognitive Theory: Aggressive individuals often misinterpret social cues due to deficiencies in cognitive processing, contributing to their behavioral responses.

• Personality Factors: Those diagnosed with antisocial personality disorders exhibit behaviors such as deceitfulness and impulsivity, which are often associated with criminal activities.

Conclusion

• Understanding crime causation necessitates a comprehensive approach, as the intricate interplay between biological, psychological, and social elements elucidates the complexities underlying criminal conduct.