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CJUSB-03 P5IP P5IP 2 CJUSB-03 P5IP Colorado Technical University Instructor: Professor Smith Connie Hutson 20 June 2013 CJUSB-03 P5IP Colorado Technical University Instructor: Professor Smith Connie Hutson 20 June 2013 Crime is a social issue that affects the community. This is a critical reason why many psychologists and sociologists have presented many perspectives or theories to address the issue. Scientists, to explain the most deviant characteristics among criminals, have presented several theories. Both biological theories and social theories try to explain the cause of criminal traits in an individual. Several theories have alleged that childhood traumatic experiences and post childhood traumatic experiences cause some people to react abnormally to certain actions in life.

This is evident in the case of James, who was exposed to a distressing livelihood when he was growing up. This attributed to the violent life that his father exposed his mother to, while he had to witness it, repeatedly. The outstanding psychological theory that explains the behavior depicted by James is the psychological theory of deviance. The theory explains criminal behaviors based on the following concepts: code of conduct, traumatic experiences and the social environment that affect an individual. The first concept is code of conduct.

The theory alleges that individuals are more susceptible to crime, because of the code of conduct that the people are exposed to when growing up. James had a parent who was exceptionally violent, resulting to his criminal traits. The second concept is traumatic experiences. Traumatic experiences play a vital role in shaping an individual to become violent and adapt to criminal behaviors. This is unmistakable because of the abnormal reaction to challenges in life.

Lastly, the social environment plays a crucial role in shaping an individual to be a criminal (Herman, 1995). This is evident from the labeling that the society plays on people who are associated with crime. The society has to ensure that it accommodates the reformed criminals, instead of labeling them. A good case is James’s mother making him believe his father was extremely violent by labeling his father as a violent person. The exceptional sociological theory that explains the behavior depicted by James is the control theory.

The theory affirms that several bonds play a significant role in modeling the life of a child to crime. When these bonds are weak or broken, the child is vulnerable to engaging in criminal activities. The theory is structured on the following notions: attachment, commitment, involvement and belief. First, attachment is the bond that exists between parents and a child. A failure of one parent to be attached to the child lets the child deviate in his or her moral character.

Second, commitment by parents in terms of providing fundamental wants to the child ensures that he or she does not engage in ill behaviors. Involvement is another concept in the theory that makes certain that a child does not deviate from the normal standards of the society. Belief is the last concept, which complements the other notions in making certain that an individual grows up to be a normal person. A family with no belief subjects a child to adapt to any belief, which may be contrary to the norms of human society (Leigh, 2004). According to both theories, James’ father plays a significant role in making James to be susceptible to criminal traits.

First, he exposes James to a traumatic childhood as a violent father, who beats up his mother. James’ father depicts a behavior that is contrary to behaviors depicted in normal families. It is also evident that James’ father has no attachment to his son. This is evident when he decides to pull away from his son, James in order to protect him from his own violent traits. Fundamentally, the result is silence on all issues affecting James.

It is essentially crucial that all parents have an attachment to their children, to ensure that they nurture and guide the children according to well-established societal norms. Finally, it is also noticeable that James’ father had no commitment or involvement with his son. Commitment and attachment play a pivotal role of nurturing trust and a parental bond between a child and a parent. The trust and bond created between a parent and child guarantees that the child is able to speak out about all the challenges and problems that he or she faces. This is contrary to the case of James.

He completely does not have any attachment to his father, as the father is not committed to his child. The lack of attachment and commitment by James’ father deviated James to engage in activities that are converse to the conventional norm in our society. Both of the two theories can have a negative impact in the future life of generations. Based on the psychological theory of deviance, it is apparent that when a generation is brought up in a life that is traumatic and surrounded by a society, which is ready to criticize the ills committed by that generation, they will grow to be criminals. The case is even worse, especially if the generation is a low class generation.

Low class generations are characterized with living in dilapidated conditions, high number of school dropouts, living in urban areas that are heavily congested, and the presence of many youth gangs. These conditions play a role in making certain that the youths embrace crime as a social mean to make a living (Herman, 1995). On the second sociological theory of control, it is obvious that a generation that is brought up without being attached to parents, parents not getting committed or involved in their development and growing process the generation, will grow up to be a generation full of individuals with criminal traits. This is attributed to the lack of parental guidance on the vital social norms that ensure people grow up to become responsible and law abiding citizens.

In addition, parents have to make certain that they provide an excellent environment for their children. The environment has to be free from abusive relationships and violence. Commitment of the parents is needed to provide for the essential needs of all their children (Leigh, 2004). James’ life turns out to be characterized with criminal traits, all because of the failure of his parents to take care of their responsibilities in guiding and addressing the needs of James. References Herman, N.

J. (1995). Deviance: a symbolic interactionist approach. New York: General Hall. Retrieved 20 June 2013 from Deviance Leigh, J. R. (2004).

Control theory. London: Institution of Electrical Engineers. Retrieved 20 June 2013 from control theory CJUSB - 03 P5IP CJUSB - 03 P5IP Colorado Technical University Instructor: Professor Smith Connie Hutson 20 June 2013 CJUSB-03 P5IP CJUSB-03 P5IP Colorado Technical University Instructor: Professor Smith Connie Hutson 20 June 2013

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Understanding Criminal Behavior through Psychological and Sociological Theories

Crime is a complex social issue that profoundly impacts communities and societies at large. The interaction between social environments and individual psychological make-up often determines observable patterns of criminal behavior. Two prominent frameworks for understanding these interactions are the psychological theory of deviance and the sociological control theory. This analysis will apply these theories to examine how childhood experiences and familial relationships contribute to criminal behavior, particularly focusing on the case study of "James," who had experienced significant trauma during his formative years.

Psychological Theory of Deviance

The psychological theory of deviance posits that an individual's behavior, including criminal actions, can often be traced back to psychological factors such as trauma and environmental influences. Three critical elements arise from this theory: code of conduct, traumatic experiences, and the social environment (Herman, 1995).
1. Code of Conduct: This refers to the ethical frameworks and behavioral norms instilled in individuals during their upbringing. In James's story, his exposure to an abusive father created a distorted view of acceptable behavior. Children, particularly those in violence-prone settings, often internalize these behaviors as normative. James’s father may have established a model of aggression that James learned to emulate, demonstrating how family dynamics can lay the groundwork for criminal behavior.
2. Traumatic Experiences: Research indicates that early exposure to trauma can significantly impair emotional and cognitive development, leading to maladaptive coping mechanisms (LeVine & LeVine, 2016). James's life, characterized by frequent exposure to his father’s violence, serves as a poignant illustration of this point. Such trauma could lead to heightened aggression, low self-esteem, and an inability to form healthy relationships, pushing James toward criminality as a response to unresolved emotional distress (Briere & Scott, 2013).
3. Social Environment: The broader social context, including peers, schools, and community influences, shapes behavior significantly. Labeling and stigma can result in marginalized individuals turning to crime as a means of survival (Herman, 1995). Viewing James through this lens reveals the detrimental impact of social alienation and the normalization of deviance within his community. If society labels James as a "problem child," he may internalize this label, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy of criminal behavior (Becker, 1963).

Sociological Control Theory

The control theory, as outlined by Hirschi (1969), emphasizes the social bonds that individuals maintain with society, which influence their likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior. This theory revolves around four concepts: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.
1. Attachment: The emotional bond between a child and their parents is fundamental to shaping moral development. Any rupture in this attachment can lead to a higher propensity for deviant behavior. In James's case, his father's abusive behavior creates a damaging void in their relationship, hindering James's emotional development and moral grounding (Hirschi, 1969).
2. Commitment: This element addresses the extent to which individuals are invested in conforming to societal norms and pursuing conventional life paths. James's father's disengagement and disregard for his son’s welfare illustrate a lack of commitment to familial responsibilities. James is thus left without guidance on the paths of success, increasing his risk of engaging in criminal behavior as a substitute for societal achievement (Hirschi, 1969).
3. Involvement: This concept suggests that engagement in societal activities limits opportunities for deviance. James lacks involvement in community, school, or organized youth activities, which further isolates him and diminishes alternative, positive outlets for his energy and aspirations (Hirschi, 1969).
4. Belief: Lastly, the belief system adopted by an individual significantly impacts their behavior. In environments where criminal behavior is normalized or accepted, individuals like James might adopt these deviant beliefs, eroding the established norms that govern societal behavior (Hirschi, 1969).

Consequences of Parental Influence

Both theoretical frameworks illustrate the profound influence of James's father on his development and potential for criminal behavior. His father's role as an abuser distorts James's perception of normal domestic life and social interaction. The absence of healthy attachment and the lack of commitment to nurturing parental responsibilities leave James vulnerable to adopting criminal traits as a means of coping with his challenging environment.
Studies have shown that children from abusive homes face elevated risks of future violence and criminal behavior, highlighting the cyclical nature of such environments (Holt, 2013). Given James's circumstances, it is clear that both psychological factors and social theories contribute to a multifaceted understanding of his propensity for crime.

Conclusion

Understanding criminal behavior through psychological and sociological lenses provides valuable insights into prevention and intervention strategies. Notably, the significance of early childhood experiences is paramount in shaping an individual’s trajectory. The case of James exemplifies the destructive impact of domestic violence, poor parental attachment, and societal labeling, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to crime prevention that address these underlying factors. Building protective environments for at-risk children through engagement, positive modeling, and community support can significantly mitigate the risks of criminal behavior.

References

1. Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. New York: Free Press.
2. Briere, J., & Scott, C. (2013). Principles of Trauma Therapy: A Guide to Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
3. Herman, N. J. (1995). Deviance: A Symbolic Interactionist Approach. New York: General Hall.
4. Hirschi, T. (1969). Cause of Delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press.
5. Holt, M. K. (2013). The impact of childhood trauma on pathways to young adult offending. Journal of Childhood Trauma, 6(3), 257-270.
6. LeVine, R. A., & LeVine, S. E. (2016). Childhood Socialization: Comparative Perspectives. New York: New York University Press.
7. Sampson, R. J., & Groves, W. B. (1989). Community Structure and Crime: Testing Social-Disorganization Theory. American Journal of Sociology, 94(4), 774-802.
8. Thornberry, T. P. (1995). Becoming a Delinquent: The Role of Male and Female Peer Relationships. Criminology, 33(4), 498-520.
9. Wadhwa, R. (2016). The Influence of Family Functioning on Adolescent Sexual Risk Taking. Journal of Adolescent Research, 31(1), 88-120.
10. Wilson, J. Q., & Kelling, G. L. (1982). Broken Windows: The Police and Neighborhood Safety. Atlantic Monthly, 249(3), 29-38.
In conclusion, examining crime through the lens of psychological development and sociological theory can provide a robust understanding of the factors leading to criminal behavior, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues within families and communities.