Sources of Criminal Behavior
Psychology and sociology help explain what triggers criminal behavior and how it can be avoided. Criminal behavior can be generally defined as “any kind of antisocial behavior, which is punishable by law or norms, stated by community,” and any behavior that intended to break the law (Lynn). The causes of criminal behavior have been a controversial topic between psychologists for over many decades. It can be challenging to categorize the kinds of criminal behavior as many actions are condoned by society and not the law. “It is difficult to define criminal behavior as ideas of what is considered immoral, unconventional, illegal or antisocial is not stable over time or place,” (Psychology Campus). For example, an individual that is participating in homosexuality practices, not wearing seat belts or involving in abortion can be determine as legal at one time in certain place but can be define as illegal at some other time and places. The sources of criminality also vary from case to case, since there are numerous factors that can shape one’s behaviors, ranging from genetic make up materials to the family that one live with and to the environment around oneself. Therefore, the main caused of criminal behavior can be categorized into two main factors: environmental and genetic materials make up.
Genetics influences play an important role in shaping ones personality and how their behavior can be. It influences an “individual’s ability to control temperament, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and a lack of empathy” (Hegger). According to Clerly, a sociologist, genes carried by the parents can influence how they treat and raise their children. He discovered there is pattern found in family histories called a “cycle of violence”. Which means people who grow up with violent, drug abuse and anti-social home are much more likely to mistreat their own children and their chidren will follow the same path (Lynn). It can also affect children’s personalities and how they respond to varying environments. Hence, the aggressive behaviors of a parent can genetically correlate to aggressive behaviors in their child.
According to Hegger, there are six traits that commonly lead to criminal behavior. Anti-social behavior happens to be one of them. Many antisocial people are not criminally inclined but often individuals that act criminally are. Some signs of an adolescent’s antisocial behavior leading to criminal behavior include running away, skipping school, fighting, possessing weapons, harming property, and lying. Clearly, this can lead to another common trait that causes criminal behavior, anti-social values. Individuals demonstrating this attribute are sometimes more likely to justify bad behavior. They can sometimes display a lack of remorse and shift responsibility onto others. Additionally, people who surround themselves with peers who engage in illegal behaviors are more likely to succumb to committing criminal acts. “Individuals with this trait often have peers that are associated with criminal activities” (Hegger). In facts, an child who live with the parent that involve in criminals act such as stealing, smoking, drunk driving can be affected greatly they way the behave. The child’s brain is very innocent and they learned thing as they grown up with people around them. The brain is constructed though an ongoing process that begins before birth and continues into adulthood. The interaction between parents and their attitude toward their children play an important role in a child’s brain development. If a child gone though an inappropriate caring and rough childhood, his or her brain will not constructed properly and lead to dipartites in learning and behaviors (Lynn). The neural networks inside a child’s brain start to develop since conception and grown even more rapidly later on. After birth, the children develop their behaviors by observation and processing information that they sees. They tend to mimic their parents every moves. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, either emotionally or physically, is the most frequent trigger for criminality. A rocky childhood often leads to an individual who is unstable emotionally and unable to problem solve effectively. Similarly, a lack of self-control is linked to malfeasance. Without control over one’s impulses, an individual is more likely to act based on emotion rather than adherence to laws. They tend to not complete the task as planned and “fail to think before act”(Hegger). Lastly, biological risk factors can affect a child behavior greatly. For example, substance abuses can significantly hinder a child’s ability to engage in a productive and healthy lifestyle. The use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can put the child at a higher risk for alcoholism and abnormal, felonious behavior in the future.
Psychologists and criminologists produced a more sophisticated approach to determining the main causes of criminal behavior through extensive research and experience. Genetics has been found to not be the only factor in causing criminal behavior; there are also many “nurture” variables in play. Sociologist argues that environmental factors can considerably impact one’s behavior as well. An individual’s environment ranges widely over the course of one’s life, varying from one’s family to society as a whole (Regis University). Family issues can increase the risk of culpable behavior. Surgeon General’s report finds that “children with violent parents are more likely to become violent through learned behaviors,”(Seiken). According to a sociologist, Edwin H. Sutherland, criminal behavior is learned through communication, interaction values, techniques and attitude. The more a person sees delinquent acts, the chance he/she committing them is higher. The Risk Factors for Delinquency studies show that a negative family environment can contribute to criminal behavior. Negative family environments can involve antisocial parents, poor parenting skills, discord in the home, family size, abuse, conflict and punitive discipline. These factors are toxic stress that weakens the brain development of a child. Without someone to calm them, this can impair the development of brain’s neural networks and lead to inappropriate behavior as well (development). Children who experience violence throughout their upbringing are more likely to become violent with their future kids. Likewise, children who grow up in a healthy, happy family and environment are more likely to succeed and succumb to felonious pressures.
Fruthermore, one’s education, occupation, and social status have a palpable influence on an individual’s likelihood of becoming a criminal (Regis University). Financial struggles and starvation can lead to stealing etc. (Admin). People who struggle every day to simply find food and shelter are at a much higher risk to steal. People with low social status are more prone to be aggressive, due to their experiences with bullies or rough neighborhoods. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, twenty percent of children who come from low-income homes are charged with crimes by age twenty-four, in comparison to sixteen percent of children from middle-income families and twelve percent from high-income families (Regis University). The U.S Department of Justice also reported that sixty-eight percent of criminals have failed to earn high school diplomas. Accordingly, people with a higher education and social status have a lesser chance of becoming criminals.
The study of criminology is quite complex. There are so many factors that can contribute to the causes for criminal behaviors. Genetics and environmental influences are generally the predominant sources for criminality and can act together to drive someone towards unacceptable behaviors. Criminal behaviors are hard to eliminated. However, we can apply our knowledge about the causes of criminal behavior to lower the rates and drive our country to a better and more secure place to live. We should limit the interactions between the children and their parents who involve in criminal acts too often. By reinforcing the children to participate more in education and maintaining a peaceful environment in society and providing a more secure home can help to lower the criminals in the future.