Social Psychological Theories of Crime

Social Psychological Theories of Crime

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Social Psychological Theories of Crime

Psychological crime theories explain that; a crime is brought about by a person’s thinking, feelings and processing of a thought. The crime might be influenced by childhood experiences as shown in research. If an act is considered wrong by the society then it’s considered to be a crime (Radburn, & Stott, 2019). The person suspected or involved in the act is the victim and is proven after the criminal justice system carry out the investigation.

There are theories is which are related to crime and include behavioral theory and cognitive theory. This two theories are similar in a way that they involve observation as they are acquired through learning and both are acquired by an individual choices whether to let them in or resist (Rock, 2017). Behavioral involves learning from the surrounding and its response and reinforced by punishments or rewards.

Cognitive is on how people perceive something and how it influences their actions. It can either be at Pre-conventional, conventional or post conventional which are referred to as moral development. In cognitive, the behavior is rarely acquired past the pre-conventional level where’s in behavioural it can be acquired at any stage depending on your environment

References

Radburn, M., & Stott, C. (2019). The social psychological processes of ‘procedural justice’: Concepts, critiques and opportunities. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 19(4), 421-438.

Rock, P. (2017). The foundations of sociological theories of crime. The Oxford handbook of criminology, 21.

McGee, T. R., & Farrington, D. P. (2016). Developmental and life-course theories of crime. The handbook of criminological theory, 336-354.