Analyse The Criminal Behaviours Of Individuals

Running Head: THEORY OF CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY 1
Theory of Crime and Criminology
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THEORY OF CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY 2
Theory of Crime and Criminology
Introduction
Crime is caused by various factors in the society. Several theories analyse the criminal
behaviours of individuals within a society as discussed below;
Utilitarianism vs criminology
I agree with the above argument, man will always consider and weigh the gain versus pain and
suffering that will be meted on him before committing any crime. The society when forming the
criminal laws considered what is morally right to be an action that will bring utility in terms of
general happiness to majority of the society as opposed to pain and suffering (Brandit, 1995).
The relation between developmental disability and criminal behaviour
Mental retardation results to intellectual deficiency which is a form of developmental disability.
Mentally retarded or deficient persons have mental limitations as well as behavioral limitations
hence cannot weigh or balance the consequences of their actions. Therefore lack capacity to
determine actions that bring gain and happiness to the society at large as opposed to pain and
suffering. People with developmental disabilities face psychological issues such as low self-
esteem hence they are more prevalent to criminal acts (Shereen Hassan & Robert Gordon, 2003).
Development of a criminal personality
Personal traits are biological and intrinsic. Most traits are inbuilt while a few are acquired.
Criminal activities of a person are largely associated with personal traits which are not virtues
but vices such as dishonesty, lying, stealing and others. Individuals with good character traits
which translates to virtues like integrity are less like to commit crimes because of their inner
positive conscience which will prevent them from committing a criminal act since their inner