Criminology in Practice
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Identify a theory that explains why Meg, Stewie, and Brian committed this crime. Please use only one theory for each individual; if you feel a single theory can explain the criminality of two or all three individuals you can make that argument. Your answer should include some of the specific theoretical components that help to justify your choice of theory (theories). In other words, make a clear and convincing case that theory you chose for each individual is the best choice in explaining their behavior.
Meg: Nye’s Theory of Internal and External Controls best explains why Meg committed this crime. Essentially, Nye’s theory beliefs that there are factors that include the need for recognition, affection, and security within the family that may drive an individual into crime. If these factors are not adequately satisfied, then an individual will seek satisfaction in delinquent behavior outside the family. Meg from the excerpt though he has never been involved in criminal activities, her interaction with family and even school points to an individual who does not feel respected or valued by those around her. She is bullied both at home and school. Additionally, she recently had discovered that her application to join her dream college had been declined. All these issues point to a life that lacks recognition and affection and security, key factors that can help Meg not to engage in criminal activities. Therefore, Meg participated in the crime solely to get these feelings.
Nevertheless, the theory holds that three social controls stop one from being deliquescent. The controls are either direct, indirect, or internal. Direct controls look at the consequences or punishment that would befall an individual if he or she committed a crime. The penalty includes grounding, and if one fears this form of punishment, then he or she won’t get into the offense. Contrary, indirect controls look at the fact that we refrain from crime so that we do not disappoint others or people close to us. Primarily, you do not want to disappoint. More importantly, it is the internal control guided by an individual’s conscience. It refers to the sense of guilty bone experiences for committing a crime and, in some cases, help one deviate from delinquent behavior. Everyone can get the much-needed feeling of recognition, security, and affection through criminal or negligent conduct. However, acting on the urge depends on an individual’s extent of direct, indirect, and internal controls. Meg had less power and thus worked on her motivation to crime.
Stewie: He is described in the excerpt as have no social bond with both his parents, especially her mother. He engages in unsupervised activities. Additionally, he has no regard for the law and is always obsessed with taking over the world. The description best fits the social bond history that drives an individual into delinquency. According to the theory, social bonds and delinquency are negatively related. For instance, an individual with a healthy relationship is less likely to engage in deliquescent behavior. Stewie has weak and shallow bonds and thus the drive to engage in delinquency.
Social bonds have four critical elements of commitment, attachment, belief, and involvement that greatly influence one to engage in delinquency. For instance, commitment looks at an individual’s investment in walking and doing the right things. Every time an individual thinks of committing a crime, he or she has to look at his stake of investment in normal behavior. Stewie does not engage in any conventional activities and thus has nothing to lose concerning investment in conventional practice if he participates in crime. Attachment is another crucial element that holds that our ability to follow the norms of others depends on our deep we are attached to them. Those with no attachments like Stewie have no restraints and are thus free to enegage in deliquent behavior. Involvement is an element that shows that one’s involvement in conventional activities will deter them from undertaking illicit activities. Stewie spends most of his time doing unusual activities, including taking over the world. Therefore, his chances of engaging in crime are high. Lastly is the element of belief, which holds that if one believes in upholding laid down rules and regulations, then they are less likely to engage in criminal activities. Stewie has no regard for the law, and that is why he engaged in the crime.
Brian: a reckless individual who has committed numerous crimes alone and with others. He drinks and smokes a lot. His motto that states that if something feels good, just do it is what drives him to crime. Contemporary theory best explains the driving force. The theory holds that two things causes delinquency. Things that pull an individual to crime and those that push him into crime. Things that push on into crime include bad environment, and biology, whereas things that draw one into crime refer to enticements and benefits out of the act. Inner and outer pulls and pushes to crime can only be contained by inner and outer contentment. The degree of an individual’s containment is what determines whether an individual engages in crime. Brian has a low degree of containment and can stop himself from participating in delinquent behaviors. Inner containment looks at aspects of an individual, such as the level of tolerance, responsibility, self-esteem, and ego. Brian has shown through his drinking and criminal acts that he is irresponsible. Therefore he has week inner containment.
Additionally, his outer containment is also weak since his family bis termed as dysfunctional. Outer containment has to do with social beliefs that surround an individual, such as family values. Therefore, with a weaker inner and outer containment, Brian quickly commits criminal acts repeatedly. He comes from a dysfunctional family, his friends are engaging in illegal acts, and thus his other supportive side apart from his inner containment is weak. No one is there to help guide him away from crime. The theory holds that whereas one can have inadequate inner containment, the availability of a robust outer containment can help the individual abstain from delinquent behaviors. Therefore, Brian’s involvement in the crime falls perfectly into contemporary theory.
Identify a theory that explains why Chris did not go along with the crime and later turned his siblings and friend into police. Again, thoroughly explain how that theory is the best ‘fit’ for Chris.
The social bond theory best explains what Chris did not go along with the crime and even went further to report the culprits. From the excerpt, Chris comes out as a responsible individual who is also law-abiding. He does not engage with a member of his dysfunctional family but spends time with his friends from the scouts association. Additionally, he lives a life that is full of honesty and integrity. His ambition later in life is to be a social worker. The theory of social bond theory holds that social bonds and delinquency are negatively related. For instance, an individual with a strong relationship is less likely to engage in deliquescent behavior. Stewie has weak and shallow bonds and thus the drive to engage in delinquency. Chris has a strong social bond with his fellow scouts, and that is the reason he did not participate in the criminal act.
Social bonds have four critical elements of commitment, attachment, belief, and involvement that greatly influence one to engage in delinquency. For instance, commitment looks at an individual’s investment in walking and doing the right things. Every time an individual thinks of committing a crime, he or she has to look at his stake of investment in expected behavior. Chris has invested a lot by doing conventional activities and thus has a lot loose concerning investment in conventional behavior if he engages in crime. Attachment is another essential element that holds that our ability to follow the norms of others depends on our deep we are attached to them. Those with attachments like Chris are not free to engage in delinquent behavior. Involvement is an element that shows that one’s involvement in conventional activities will deter them from undertaking illicit activities. Chris spends a lot of time with the scouts and thus does traditional activities that are honest and full of integrity. Therefore, his chances of engaging in crime are low. Lastly is the element of belief, which holds that if one believes in upholding laid down rules and regulations, then they are less likely to engage in criminal activities. Chris believes in doing the right thing, and that’s why he not only stays away from crime but reports his siblings.
The social bond theory best fits Chris’s situation in that it talks about things relevant in his life. His commitment to living a life of integrity and honesty captures a vital element of the theory. Furthermore, by choosing not to relate with his dysfunctional family but choosing to spend time with friends in the scouts’ group is a show of attachment. He associates with people who are kind and will help him abstain from criminal activities. More importantly, his involvement in scouts activities captures the critical element of involvement, which ensures that he has no time to think about crime. He is busy doing conventional activities. These are facts that show that the social bond theory best explains Chris’s situation.