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Introduction
Criminal theories can assist criminologists in discovering the true intentions of perpetrators and their motivations. The four most notable criminal theories are the rational choice theory, Lombroso’s biological theory, general strain theory, and differential opportunity theory.
Rational Choice Theory
The rational choice theory is a view that a criminal commits an illegal act because they consider all benefits and costs related to it. According to Hagan and Daigle (2019), authors of Introduction to Criminology, which is a reliable source of information used in many universities, Cornish and Clarke were the theorists behind the rational-choice approach. From the perspective of the theory, a person who decides to rob another individual on a dark street understands the risk of retaliation but also realizes that they can get valuable objects from the victim. Another example is a rapist taking advantage of an unconscious woman. They rationally approach the situation and understand that their crime will not be noticed.
Lombroso’s Theory
Lombroso was an Italian physician who was among the first people to attempt to introduce a certain theoretical understanding of criminal behavior. According to his theory, as described in Criminal Profiling by Turvey (2011), another reliable academic source, there are born criminals who can be easily found judging by their physical appearance. For instance, a person with notable deviation in their head size or facial features compared to the rest of the population is more likely to commit a crime. Similarly, an individual with a twisted or flattened nose would be likely to become a thieve, while a person with a beaklike nose could be a murderer. Despite the fact that Lombroso’s theory is false, it was extremely influential in the 19th century.
General Strain Theory
General strain theory is another prominent approach to the motivations of criminals, which highlights the importance of assessing criminals’ life. According to Professor Timothy Brezina (2017), the general strain theory, developed by Agnew, views negative emotions such as anger and depression as the primary factors enabling people to commit crimes or demonstrate delinquent behavior. For instance, a person who was abused by their parents during childhood can become a violent adult and engage in criminal activity. Another example of a crime happening due to the criminal’s psychological strain is a robbery of an affluent individual by a person unable to satisfy their desire for status and wealth in other ways.
Differential Opportunity Theory
According to the differential opportunity theory, developed by Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin, people can commit crimes due to the lack of opportunities in life. Shjarback (2018), in the article published in a peer-reviewed journal Qualitative Criminology, stated that individuals, in the absence of legitimate ways to advance in life, can engage in crime to increase their status. For instance, youth living in the slums can enter various gangs in an attempt to earn money. Additionally, undocumented immigrants who cannot legally be employed can turn to crime to provide for their families.
References
Brezina, T. (2017). General strain theory. Criminology and Criminal Justice. Web.
Hagan, F., & Daigle, L. (2018). Introduction to criminology: Theories, methods, and criminal behavior. SAGE Publications.
Shjarback, J. (2018). Revisiting a classic: A qualitative analysis of differential opportunity theory and its utility in explaining residential burglary. Qualitative Criminology, 7(1), 1–29. Web.
Turvey, B. E. (2011). Criminal profiling (4th ed.). Elsevier S & T.
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