Abstract
This paper discusses the causes of criminal behavior and how community policing and programs that develop social capital can be implemented to remedy the crime problem.

From the Paper
"The causes of criminal behavior have often been reduced to simplistic factors such as a difficult childhood or association with known criminals. Criminal behavior is actually influenced, however, by multiple factors that can operate synergistically with one another to produce behavior that none of them alone would result in. In truth, there is a complex of potential factors that could, for any given individual, combine to create a response that tends toward criminality. Understandably, not every individual responds in the same manner, even..."

Tags:criminal behavior, mentally ill, criminal justice, police, PACE program, case study, community policing, social capital

Abstract
Three authors provide differing perspectives on the causes of criminal behavior. The three share similar definitions of criminal behavior as aggression. These definitions inform their views on its cause. The authors agree that criminal agression is a learned behavior vs. an inborn trait or biologically determined characteristic. They disagree on how this learnng takes place and the implications of this debate.

From the Paper
Theoretical Perspectives of Criminal Behavior: Three Views Carlton Scott, Heather Bond and Mitchell Roy present three theoretical perspectives on criminal behavior. The authors differ in their definition of criminal behavior and as a result in their views on prevention, incarceration and rehabilitation. All three, however, discuss similar perspectives on central causes of criminal behavior. While with differing degrees of certainty all three authors discuss the primary issue as one of nurture vs. nature. All three see the central debate as whether aggressive criminal behavior is inborn, innate or what Carlton Scott refers to as "biologically" or "environmentally" based or if it is learned. For

Tags:rehabilitation, criminal, behaviorism

Abstract
This is a high level essay discussing the implications of genetics in criminal behavior which then focuses on the argument of whether or not genetics and DNA should successfully be implicated for their role within the context of a criminal defense. The stance taken for this paper is that this is not a viable defense for criminal activity. The paper cites current research.

From the Paper
"The question of "nature vs. nurture" relative to the role of aberrant behavioral displays has been one that is long debated, filled with considerable research and vested interests on both sides of the debate and one that is not likely to be resolved in our lifetime. This paper will present a high level argument demonstrating that a defendant's genes, while potentially a contributory factor, do not by themselves excuse criminal behavior. Three factors will be reviewed: genetic predispositions and what they mean, role of the environment and the legal implications for genetic defenses. "Genetic Predispositions Tehrani and Mednick" (2000 as cited by Jones, 2005) concluded that there was conclusive evidence of a genetic "component" in criminal behavior."

Tags:genetics, behavior, environment

Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of the Bogle family - one whose members all exhibit criminal behavior - with respect to social learning theory and choice theory as possible causes of criminal behavior.

From the Paper
"The Bogle family history rivals that of the Jessie James clan. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and other relatives of Dale Vincent Rooster Bogle perpetrated practically every crime possible from rape and ..."

Tags:social learning theory, behavior, choice theory, criminality, crime, abuse, development

Abstract
This paper looks at how the social environment affects criminal behavior. It explores how the effects of peer and family relationships can lead to criminal behaviors such as violence, delinquency and drug abuse.

From the Paper
Sutherland's Differential Association Theory suggests that people commit crime by learning in a social context through their interactions with others and communication with them. He believed criminal behavior whatever its nature is learned by interaction with others and this includes learning the techniques of committing the crime and the motives, drives rationalizations and attitudes for committing it. This is due to their definition of legal codes as being favorable or unfavorable and so if someone believes the legal codes are unfavorable they will be more likely ..."

Tags:social ebvironment, learned behavior

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a sixteen-year old girl who, along with two friends, has been charged with assault and fraud. The paper discusses Aker's social learning theory which operates on seven basic principles to explain criminal behavior and explores these principles. The paper then analyzes the general strain theory (GST) on criminal behavior. Finally, the paper integrates the theories and discusses how they apply to the case study.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Joyce's Story
Theory Evaluation # 1 - Aker's Social Learning Theory
Theory Evaluation #2 - General Strain Theory
Theory Integration
Conclusion: Policy/Practice Implications

From the Paper
"The theories work somewhat in addressing weaknesses in their complement. Aker's theory that criminal behavior is learned is refuted by research demonstrating that delinquent behavior proceeds criminal social attachments. GST would state this is because the cause of criminal behavior is emotional and is therefore the result of the individual, not the individual's peers (though this emotion is spurred by outside forces). GST's emphasis on emotive responses also explains why some crimes are not committed for material benefit - a factor Aker credits as instrumental in the crime process. GST's failure to acknowledge the higher proportion of male crimes (as compared to crimes committed by females) may be accounted for in Aker's theory of social learning and material benefit, but not enough research has been done on the topic to confirm this. Also, the simplicity implicit in GST and its inability to adequately distinguish between types of strain may be explained using Aker's Social Learning Theory. Perhaps some strains are linked to delinquency when there is an obvious benefit, and types strain not linked with crime may produce not obvious advantage for the individual."

Tags:GST, delinquent, juvenile, crimes, cognitive-behavioral

Abstract
This paper examines how numerous theories have been advanced about the causes of criminal behavior ever since criminology became a serious subject of study in the late 18th century. It looks at how, although most of these theories give us some insight into the mind of criminals and why they commit crimes, there is still no consensus among the experts about most of the reasons advanced to explain the committing of crimes. It explores some of these theories of criminal behavior, including a discussion of serial killers and the possible reasons behind their deviant behavior.

Outline
Background
Classical Criminology
Lombroso's Theory of the 'Criminal Type'
Modern Biological Theories of Criminal Behavior
Psychological Theories
Social Causes
Opportunity Theory
Serial Killers
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Serial Killers are the "ultimate criminals" since they are responsible for committing the most heinous of crimes, i.e., of taking another human's life without legitimate cause, perform the dastardly act repeatedly and usually derive pleasure by doing so. It is, therefore, instructive to briefly look at their behavior pattern as it gives us a useful insight into the functioning of the criminal mind. Studies made by FBI reveal that serial killers fall into two fairly distinct categories: the "organized" and the "disorganized." (Reed, "Specialists look") The organized killer is usually male, white and fairly intelligent, socially adept and ordinary looking who can easily blend into the background. He plans his crimes with great detail, leaving very little evidence behind."

Tags:serial, killers, deviants, lombroso

Abstract
This paper reviews the theory of self-control in criminal behavior. The author discusses the two opinions that modern psychologists have on the origin of the antisocial or criminal impulse among individuals who engage in criminal behavior: 1) criminal predisposition is explained by genetics, parental roles and self control, and 2) neither genetics nor parental roles is as important as purely environmental factors such as social class, economic opportunity, and other societal influences. The paper concludes that ultimately, the self-control theory of crime applies only to that subset rather than explaining criminality in a broader sense.

Outline:
Introduction
Parental Responsibility and the Role of Self Control
The Significance of Race, Economics, and Social Culture
Genetic Predisposition to Criminality
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Unlike the case with laboratory animals, humans cannot be bred or separated from their parents at birth for genetic research into the source of their behavioral tendencies. Surely, traits of personality such as patience, impulsivity, quickness to anger, and self control have specifically identifiable genetic profiles, making it even more difficult to connect parenting style to self-control issues in children, much less to such behavior that rises to the level of criminality."

Tags:psychology, parenting, genetics

Abstract
This paper examines how, in many contemporary criminology texts, theories concerning criminal behavior are generally classified according to some biological, psychological, or sociological perspective. It looks at how, in recent years, however, several theories of criminal behavior have appeared that make such simple categories inadequate for the complexities that have been identified in such analysis and how these new behavioral theories have specifically combined both biological and social environmental variables in their explanations of people's varying tendencies to commit crime. It reviews nine such categories of criminal behavior, followed by an analysis and summary of the research in the conclusion.

Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion.
Classical
Psychobiological
Sociological
Conflict
Emergent
Biological
Psychological
Social-Psychological
Phenomenological
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This category of crime holds that criminal behavior is caused by exercise of free will and criminal responsibility. The classical theory of criminal behavior was prevalent prior to "modern" criminology's search for the causes of crime, which did not begin until the nineteenth century. Classical theory did not attempt to explain why people commit crime but was rather a strategy for administering justice according to rational principles (Garland, 1985). Classical theory was based on assumptions about how people living in the emerging historical period of seventeenth-century Europe, called the "Classical period" or "Enlightenment era," began to reject the traditional idea that people were fixed social types (e.g., landed gentry and serfs) with vastly different rights and privileges."

Tags:delinquency, felony, juvenile, penology, prison, recidivism

Abstract
The paper relates that there is a general consensus that there is a correlation between negative school and family environments and future deviant or criminal behavior. The paper looks at studies that show that dysfunctional families, dysfunctional schools, and racism in a dysfunctional society generate and/or intensify cynicism, anti-social behavior, and deviance in adolescents. The paper describes how adolescents often engage in rebellion, drug or alcohol abuse, or criminal behavior in order to vent their anger and express their disillusionment and contempt for authority.

From the Paper
"Many studies have examined the impact of schools and family on future deviant or criminal behavior, and although conclusions have varied regarding the degree of impact, there is a general consensus that there is a correlation between negative school and family environments and future deviant or criminal behavior. Study after study has shown that dysfunctional families, dysfunctional schools, and racism in a dysfunctional society generate and/or intensify cynicism, anti-social..."

Tags:schools, families, deviance