CJ Assignment Individual Theories

Individual Views of Delinquency: Choice and Trait CHAPTER OUTLINE

CHOICE THEORY

THE RATIONAL DELINQUENT Choosing Delinquent Acts Lifestyle and Delinquency Routine Activities Focus on Delinquency: Does Delinquency Pay?

CHOICE THEORY AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION General Deterrence What Does This Mean to Me? Does Punishment Work? Specific Deterrence Situational Crime Prevention Do Delinquents Choose Crime?

TRAIT THEORIES: BIOSOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VIEWS The Origins of Trait Theory Contemporary Trait Theory

BIOSOCIAL THEORIES OF DELINQUENCY Biochemical Factors Focus on Delinquency: Are You What You Eat? Neurological Dysfunction Focus on Delinquency: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Genetic Influences

PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF DELINQUENCY Psychodynamic Theory Behavioral Theory Cognitive Theory Focus on Delinquency: The Media and Delinquency

Personality and Delinquency Intelligence and Delinquency

CRITIQUING TRAIT THEORY VIEWS

TRAIT THEORY AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

After reading this chapter you should:

1. Know the difference between choice and trait theories.

2. Understand the concept of criminal choice.

3. Be familiar with the concept of routine activities.

4. Be able to discuss the pros and cons of general deterrence.

5. Recognize what is meant by the term specific deterrence.

6. Understand the concept of situational crime prevention.

7. Know the biochemical, neurological, and genetic factors linked to delinquency.

8. Understand the psychodynamic model of delinquency.

9. Understand why, according to the behavioral perspective, watching violent media causes violent behaviors.

10. Be familiar with the term psychopath.

11. Recognize the issues linking intelligence to delinquency.

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Juvenile Delinquency: The Core COPYRIGHT © 2005 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc

48 C H A P T E R 3

The Parsons case illustrates the view that many youthful offenders are not irrational or angry, but clever, intelligent, and calculating. Some delinquency experts believe that the decision to commit an illegal act is a product of an individual decision- making process that may be shaped by the personal characteristics of the decision maker. They reject the notion that delinquents are a “product of their environment.” But if social and economic factors alone determine behavior, how is it that many youths residing in dangerous neighborhoods live law-abiding lives? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than thirty-four million Americans live in poverty yet the vast majority do not become delinquents and criminals.1 Research indicates that relatively few youths in any population, even the most economically disadvantaged, actually become hard-core, chronic delinquents.2 The quality of neighborhood and family life may have little impact on the choices individuals make.3

Considering these data, some delinquency experts believe that the root cause of juvenile misbehavior must be found on the individual, and not the social, level.

Views of delinquency that focus on the individual can be divided into two cate- gories. One position, referred to as choice theory, suggests that offenders are rational decision makers who choose to engage in antisocial activity because they believe their actions will be beneficial. Whether they join a gang, steal cars, or sell drugs, their delinquent acts are motivated by the belief that crime can be a relatively risk- free way to better their situation, make money, have fun. They have little fear of getting caught. Some have fantasies of riches, and others may enjoy the excitement produced by criminal acts such as beating up someone or stealing a car.

The second view, referred to as trait theory, suggests that delinquent acts, espe- cially violent ones, are not rational choices but uncontrollable, irrational behaviors. Many forms of delinquency, such as substance abuse and violence, appear more impulsive than rational, and these behaviors may be inspired by aberrant physical or

In 2003, a Minnesota high school stu-

dent, Jeffrey Lee Parsons, was charged

in connection with spreading a version

of the “Blaster” virus. The virus targeted

a flaw in Microsoft’s Windows XP and

2000 operating systems, and infected

an estimated four hundred thousand

computers worldwide. In a twelve-page

complaint filed in federal court, Parsons

was charged with one count of “inten-

tionally causing and attempting to cause

damage to a protected computer.”

Described in the media as a heavy-

set loner who was depressed and angry,

Parsons refuted those assumptions dur-

ing a Today Show interview (accessible

on http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3078578/):

Today: In cases like this, there are a lot of

quick, simple characterizations of the

accused given to the media—for exam-

ple, he was a loner, he didn’t have

friends, he was reckless, and so on.

How would you describe yourself?

Parsons: I’m the complete opposite of

the way I’ve been portrayed in the

press. I’m not a loner. I have a very

supportive close group of friends. I’m

not reckless, I don’t do drugs, smoke,

or drink. This is the first time I have

ever had a run-in with the law. It’s

hurtful to see the accounts of me. I’m

not depressed, embarrassed about my

weight, or a misfit.