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In spite of the exceptionality of the advancement and development
that has contemporaneously been attained within parameters of the
technologically oriented global society, such societal woes as poverty,
crime and terrorism continue to magnify unhindered. The prime reason
for this, moreover, especially in the case of crime, is that the
individuals actively contributing to the breach of society tend to be
immediately dependent on the implements of society, subsequently
attainting a degree of development tantamount to that attained by their
foes, typically, the variously respective law enforcement agencies.
This, moreover, especially when viewed in the light of the
exceptionally heinous nature of some of the more recent international
crimes, is something that tends to emphatically justify the ongoing
need for the study of the causes of crime.
Addressing the relevance of Criminology
Typically referred to as criminology, the relevance of the study of
the causes of crime is accentuated quite strongly when considering it
in light of the significant degree of advancement currently becoming
apparent within the collective features and characteristics of global
terrorism. Take into consideration, for instance, the violent
significance of the terrorist strikes on America that commenced on the
11th of September, 2001; it is barely surprising that crime reduction
currently reflects one of the most crucial priorities on the agenda of
global welfare. It would, furthermore, be relevance to here consider
that achieving an analytical understanding of the psychological traits
that eventually result in the emergence of various forms of criminality
constitutes one of the most fundamental steps in regard to addressing
the reduction of crime. This is since this is something that proposes
to mitigate the growing degree of crime in as much as diagnosing and
addressing particularly respective psychological traits that indicate
the future onset of criminal tendencies. Take into consideration, for
instance, the fact that practically all criminals tend to display
symptoms of some form of abnormal psychology when subjected to a
psychological analysis. This is something that further emphasizes the
relevance of the study of the causes of crime in relation to bringing
about a widespread reduction the global rate of crime.
Crime reduction & Criminology
It is quite apparent that the study of the causes of crime is one of
the most useful measures in concern to the reduction of crime on a
global level, and the age-old phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’
illustrates a reflection of why this is so. Take into consideration,
for instance, the fact that the study of crime sheds light on such
crucial information as the reasons due to which serial killers resort
to the forms of violence that they do. It would be of instrumental
relevance to here consider some of the documented quotations from
serial killers themselves: ‘Every man to his own tastes...mine is for
corpses’; ‘I kill the first man that bothers me’; ‘Big deal, death
comes with the territory...see you in Disneyland’ (Brown, 2003). One of
the things that appear to uniformly stand out when considering the
psychological implications made evident by these statements is that
they all appear to indicate a nonchalant sense of individual
superiority that seems to be partially fueled by a sense of disdain for
their peers.
In addition to this, it would also be of importance to consider that
the study of the causes of crime also results in shedding of light upon
perceptions and preconceptions that can turn out to be of potential
assistance to individuals who could be a serial killer’s idealization
of the perfect victim. This is something that is made quite clear when
considering the popular belief that a serial killer has to be someone
who possesses a number of suspicious character traits in addition to
being a stranger. The fallacy that this is, however, is highlighted
when considering that serial killers can be individuals who display
absolutely no symptoms of abnormal psychology in addition to having a
relationship with the victim (s). ‘We assume people we know can't be
serial killers. We think we would know if that guy in our church was a
serial killer. Unfortunately, there really is no way of knowing’
(Brown, 2004).
One of the prime reasons for the prevalence of such detrimental
preconceptions is that ‘criminology needs to develop an ethical debate
about the implications of crime reduction, in the same way as there has
developed an ethics of criminal justice’ (Shapland, 2004). This is
something that suggests that the level of priority given to the study
of the causes of crime is far less than then the priority level
attached to law enforcement and/or criminal justice. This, moreover, is
portrayed as something that tends to have a negativistic impact on the
collective movement striving for the widespread reduction of crime. The
negativity of this, furthermore, is justified when considering it in
light of the fact that criminology seeks to mitigate criminal
tendencies before they have the chance to develop into full blown
criminal behavior on the part of respective individuals.
Analyzing and justifying the criminological stance
One of the most important features of differentiation between the
study of the causes of crime and criminal justice is that while the
former attempts to understand the reasons due to which particular
crimes were committed; the latter tends to deal exclusively with
ensuring that justice is carried out in as much as the apprehension of
potential suspects wanted for various crimes. The appreciation of this
is of key importance to understanding why it is essential for there to
be a revision, or rather, a boost of the degree of relevance typically
attached to the idea of criminology. It is of utmost importance that
the collective criminological sectors are well informed and aware of
the host of psycho-sociological, behavioral features and
characteristics that are fundamental contributors to the execution of
crime.
This is since psychiatric counseling programs focusing on dealing
with the personality conflicts brought on by these problems tend to be
of prime relevance to uncovering the core of individuals’ motivations
in regard to his or her inclination to crime. The relevance of
criminology is something that is made especially apparent when
considering it in light of the various motivational factors that have
been cited, by criminals themselves, as being responsible for the
eruption of the criminal behavior. Criminal psychology, which is one of
the most important aspects of criminology, is something that tends to
be best illustrated when considering it in terms of the psychological
profile inherent to murderers. When speaking explicitly of the
psychology of murderers, for instance, it becomes apparent that
criminology is the best bet in concern to ensuring a minimization of
crime. Take into consideration that while some them, like the notorious
Henry Lee Lucas, blame their upbringing; others, like Jeffrey Dahmer
say that they were born with a part of themselves missing. Others like
Ted Bundy claim external stimuli, (pornography in Bundy's case) drove
them him do it while still others, like the Santa Cruz killer of
thirteen, Herbert Mullin, blame such predominantly abnormal stimuli as
voices in the head (Scott, 2004).
Crucial criminological generalities
The most psychopathic of criminals, however, simply shoulder all of
the blame off themselves, contending that the victim (s) respectively
suffered for the simple reasons that they deserved what they got. Such
criminals are satisfied with murdering or committing the particular
crimes of their fancy wholly upon the pretext of the ideology that
their criminal deeds are individualistically justifiable. In addition
to this, it would also be important to here consider that one of the
more relevant criminological finds has been that men commit far more
crimes than women, and although the figures aren't completely clear as
to how much more; ‘an estimation of 90 percent seems likely’ (Wilson
& Herrnstein, 1998). Moreover, it has also been estimated that,
while criminals and potential criminals typically display
uncharacteristically lower levels of intelligence, they are also given
to be comparatively aggressive, unafraid, assertive, impulsive and
extroverted than their peers.
They are also poorly socialized, meaning they display little regards
for others feelings. It would be relevant to consider that one of the
most frequent causes documented to be at fault in concern to the
development of such abnormal psychological factors within potentially
criminal individuals has proven to be a lack of effectual parenting.
The inconsistent and/or random assertion of disciplinary factors tends
to prevent a child from knowing when and for what to expect punishment.
This is since the rules are not made clear, subsequently leading to a
child’s complete lack of appreciation for them. This is fundamentally
due to the reason that a cold, detached and unconcerned parent does not
produce the necessary attachment with their child or children that is
of utter essentiality to the later development of the child’s
psychology.
It is quite apparent, thus speaking and taking into consideration
all that has been said and discussed, that the study of the causes of
crime, or criminology, does indeed provide us with an effectual avenue
for the reduction of crime. This, moreover, is something that is
emphasized in as much as the various aims and purposes of criminology
as outlined within the entirety of this paper. Considering that
psychological instability resulting in frenzied and erratic behavior
appears to represent one of the most frequently encountered factors for
crimes such as murder, it appears that the best way to deal with
criminals would be to ensure that they are slowed down, literally, in
the case of being granted bail.
Contemplate the tranquilizing effect of drug treatments, for
instance, would slow their impulses, and make them think before they
act. No such drug, however, has ever been introduced, which is just
another one of the reasons due to which criminology, the study of the
causes of crime, reflects the best measure we can adhere to in order to
maximally mitigate crime. It would, moreover, be conclusively
appropriate to consider that with the growing degree of technological
integration into the collective body of crime contemporaneously
emphasizes the need for a boost of the relevance of the criminology
rather than criminal justice. This, moreover, is something that is
accentuated even more strongly when considering the exceptional
inconveniences that the criminal justice system currently faces as a
result of the stark increase in the rate of crime and terrorism the
world over.
Bibliography
- Brown, P. (2003). Killing for Sport: Inside the Minds of Serial Killers. New Millennium
- Brown, P. (2004). The Real Serial Killer. Accessed online on Monday 1st November, 2004 @ http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/profiling/s_k_myths/index.html
- Shapland, J. (2004). Reducing Crime: Implications for Criminology
Present and Criminology's Futures. Accessed online on Monday 1st
November, 2004 @ http://www.britsoccrim.org/bccsp/vol03/shapland.html
- Scott, S. L. (2004) Monsters or Victims? Accessed online on Monday 1st November, 2004 @ http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/tick/victims_1.html
- Wilson, J. Q. & Herrnstein, R. J. (1998). Crime Human Nature: The definitive study of the causes of crime. Free Press
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