WHY CRIMES ARE COMMITTED
01
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
People act in their self-interest and make decisions to commit crime after weighing the potential risks against the rewards.
02
SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION THEORY
A person’s physical and social environments are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that person makes.
03
STRAIN THEORY
Most people have similar aspirations, but not the same opportunities. When people fail to achieve society’s expectations through approved means they may attempt to achieve success through crime.
04
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
People develop motivation & skills to commit crime through the people they associate with.
05
SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY
Most people would commit crime if not for the controls that society places on individuals (Ex: School).
06
LABELING THEORY
People in power decide what acts are crimes. Once a person is labeled a criminal, society takes away their opportunities, which may ultimately lead to more criminal behavior.
07
BIOLOGY, GENETICS
EVOlution THEORY
Poor diet, mental illness, bad brain chemistry, and even evolutionary rewards for aggressive criminal conduct cause criminal behavior.
EXAMPLE VIDEOS
FOR EACH THEORY
Rational Choice Theory
Social Disorganization Theory
Strain Theory
Social Learning Theory
Social Control Theory
Labeling Theory
Biology, Genetics, Evolution Theory