Chapter 5: Investigation and Prosecution: Deviant and Criminal Behavior
There are many reasons that individuals commit deviant behavior. As mentioned earlier it can be caused by many different sociological, environmental, situational catalysts and/or biological and psychological components.
Sociological
Based upon a criminology theory, such as the Broken Windows theory written by George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson “the broken windows theory states that visible signs of disorder and misbehavior in an environment encourage further disorder and misbehavior, leading to serious crimes. The principle was developed to explain the decay of neighborhoods, but it is often applied to work and educational environments” (Psychology Today). Financial strife coupled with lower income neighborhoods, can potentially lead to deviant behavior based on socioeconomical status.
We had previously discussed in an earlier chapter, Social Strain Typology, Conflict Theory, and Labeling Theory to explain deviance. Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory focused more on juvenile delinquency, which of course can lead to deviancy as an adult. Hirschi believed that deviance in young people had to do with attachment (or lack thereof) to their parents, school, and peers. Juveniles with proper and healthy attachments or bond to society, their job, family, and school are less likely to offend against society in a deviant manner. Hirschi theorized that “individuals conform to societal norms when they are “bonded to society…when ties are weakened or broken, then the individual is free to be a criminal” (U.S. DOJ, 1993). Those with bonds to society that incorporate involvement belief, attachment, and commitment to society’s expectations and requirements. A child learned this from their parents at a young age. However, should a parent or parents not afford their children this information, then the child will form his/her own. Children are naturally hedonistic until they are properly socialized by their parents. When this information is not taught or appropriately taught to the child, the child will form their own rules, forgo moral rules and lack of a conscience when violating another individual. While this chapter will not go down the road of the necessity of parent/child bonding as that will be discussed in child/adolescent psychology, it does need to be stated here that we are products of our environment. If we do not have appropriate parental love, support, and societal teachings, then we will live to only serve ourselves. We will forgo right from wrong and merely pursue our own happiness regardless of who we hurt in the process.
As you read on, the diagnosis and prediction of deviant and criminal behavior will be discussed. This chapter will close out with several YouTube videos for you to view. These videos will help you with your Assignment in actually profiling your offender. Good luck!
