Theories of Criminal Behavior and Casual Factors

Running head: THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Theories of Criminal Behavior and Casual Factors
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1THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Influences and factors which contribute to criminal activity.....................................................2
Theories of criminal behavior....................................................................................................3
Psychological perspectives and its application by individuals in the Public Services...............4
Psychological perspectives and its application to teams within the Public Services.................5
Psychology and reduction of criminal behavior.........................................................................6
Analysis of Christchurch mosque shooting on the basis of psychology....................................6
Psychological perspective and its application to the work of a range of public services..........7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................9

2THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Introduction
As opined by Canter (2017), the increasing number of crimes that the world is facing
presently had given rise to the branch of study, namely, criminology, which is often seen as
the study of the law enforcement and also the analysis of the criminal activities on the basis
of this. Tonkin et al. (2017) are of the viewpoint that another important trend which is being
seen within the framework or the contemporary work is the fact that the different criminal
activities of the individuals are being analyzed through the specific lens of psychology. This
is important because of the fact that an analysis of the criminal activities of the individuals on
the basis of psychology not only offers an insight to the authorities regarding the behavior of
the criminals but also the factors which have propelled them to resort to such activities
(Crighton and Towl 2015). This is perhaps one of the major reasons why different
psychological theories and models are increasingly being applied for the analysis of the
behavior of the criminals in the public services and others. This paper will undertake an
analysis of the influences as well as factors which propel the individuals to resort to criminal
activities through the particular lens of psychology.
Influences and factors which contribute to criminal activity
Eaton and Korach (2016) are of the viewpoint that there are various factors or
influences which propels the individuals to resort to criminal activities which are often duped
derogatory by the law enforcement departments of the different nations. As opined by Nee et
al. (2018), the nature versus nurture debate is an important one which in a succinct manner
highlights the major influences or factors that propel the criminals to resort to derogatory
actions. For example, over the years genetics had been considered to be one of the most
important factors which greatly determine the actions of the individuals. In this regard, it
needs to be said that the individuals whose family members or past ancestors have shown a
violent trait or inability to control themselves then it is likely that these genes would also be
transferred to the concerned individuals although it might be dominant or suppressed (Bonta
and Andrews 2016). Thus, it can be said that the individuals in whose family there are past
cases of criminal activities are at a higher risk of resorting to such activities. On the other
hand, the upbringing of the individuals is another important which contributes in a significant
manner towards the criminal activities on the part of the individuals. For example, recent
researches have shown that the individuals who had faced domestic violence, abuse or other

3THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
kinds of similar events in their childhood develop a pent-up anger against the authorities and
also the societies (Schug and Fradella 2015). The net result of this is that they always look for
avenues through which they can take their revenge for the abuse that they have faced in their
younger days. Another important factor is the psychology of the individuals and also the
cognition of the individuals (Brennan 2008). In this regard, it needs to be said some of the
individuals during the course of their life had to face various kinds of injustices and
discrimination and this in turn develops a revenge mindset or a hate tendency on their part for
which they turn towards the different kinds of criminal activities (Wortley and Townsley
2016). A pertinent example of this is the increasing number of crimes which are being
committed by the Muslims in the present times in the diverse First World Nations because of
the discrimination as well as the injustice that they have face in the same.
In addition to the above mentioned reasons, there are other factors as well which
contribute to criminal tendencies on the part of the individuals in a significant manner. One of
the most important ones in this regard is the wide popularity as well as the media coverage
that the different criminals receive in the contemporary time (Nee et al. 2018). As a matter of
fact, it is seen that there are many criminals whose resort to violent activities just to come into
the limelight and also to get popular media attention. In addition to this, another important
factor is the problem of substance abuse and as a matter of fact it is seen that this is a
common factor among the different criminals of the world (Gross 2015). In this regard, it
needs to be said that the problem of abuse of substance abuse creates mental imbalance in
these individuals which in turn makes them violent and also resort to the kind of actions
which are harmful for others. Another important factor is the mental health issues like
schizophrenia and others which often make the individuals that they are someone else and
thereby perform the kind of actions that in their normal state of mind would not have
performed (Dovidio et al. 2010).
Theories of criminal behavior
Nee et al. (2018) have articulated the viewpoint that the increased cases of criminal
activities had given rise to different kinds of theories which try to not only analyze the actions
of the criminals but at the same time try to find out the probable causes of the same. One of
the most important theories in this regard is Bowlby's Attachment Theory and Maternal
Deprivation. In this context, it needs to be said that the major precept of this theory is the
fact that the one of the most important bonds which the individuals form during the course of