Chapter 1 - Crim 211

THEORIES & CAUSES OF
CRIMES
Prepared by: Ms. Ledesma
WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT CRIMES?
From misdemeanors to violent felonies, some individuals step in to the
criminal justice system and learn their lesson to never commit a crime
again. Others unfortunately become repeat offenders with a never
ending rap sheet. Environment obviously plays a huge role but it is only
one of many factors.
The study of criminology targets why individuals commit crimes and
why they behave in certain situations. There are many theories in
criminology, some attribute crime to the individual, others believe it is
the community’s responsibility to ensure that their citizens do not
commit crime by offering them a safe and secure place in which to live.
Some argue that some individuals have specific traits that will
determine how will they react when put in certain negative conditions.
Although varied in thought, everyone can agree that justice needs to be
secured in a civilized society.
WHAT CAUSES CRIME?
Different types of crime often have their own distinct causes. Many
traditional explanations for crime were based on beliefs in supernatural
or spiritual powers or in laws of nature.
The field of criminology systematically studies the causes of crime. The
explanations for crime are not simple, we live in a complex society, and
the causes of crime are as complex as the society itself.
This module will introduce you to various criminological theories and
perspectives. We will not only identify the various theoretical
perspectives that help us to understand and explain crime/criminal
behavior, we will also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
different criminological theories and perspectives.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE WORD
THEORY?
❖ Any system of ideas arranged in rational order that produce

general principles which increase our understanding and
explanations.
❖ Derived from, and representative, of particular facts, but
those principles are not dependent upon the particular thing
to be explained.
❖ Foundation of criminology and of criminal justice.
A THEORY OF CRIME PROBLEMS;
The crime triangle comes straight out of one of the main

theories of environmental criminology - routine activity
theory.
ROUTINE ACTIVITY THEORY – developed by Cohen & Felson
(1979provides a simple and powerful insight into the causes
of the crime problems. At its heart is the idea that in the
absence of effective controls, offenders will prey upon
attractive targets. )
A THEORY OF CRIME PROBLEMS;
TO COMMIT A CRIME, THESE ELEMENTS MUST BE PRESENT;
1. A motivated offender
2. A suitable victim/target
3. The absence of a capable guardian
Take note:
For property crimes the target is a thing or an object, for personal
crimes the target is a person. Also, there are controllers whose
presence can prevent crime; if the controllers are present but
powerless, crime is still possible.
THREE THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR;
Historically, there are three broad theoretical models of

criminal behavior:
A.Psychological
B. Sociological
C. Biological
All infer different methods of control, but it is difficult to
completely separate the three categories as it is generally
accepted that all three of the factors play a role in the
expression of behavior.
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES;
There are many different psychological models of criminal
behavior ranging from early Freudian notions to later
cognitive and social psychological models. These are the
several fundamental assumptions of psychological theories of
criminality.
1. The individual is the primary unit of analysis in psychological
theories.
2. Personality is the major motivational element that drives
behavior within individuals.
3. Normality is generally defined by social consensus.
• Crimes then would result from abnormal,
dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental processes
within the personality of the individual.
• Criminal behavior may be purposeful for the
individual insofar as it addresses certain felt needs.
• Defective, or abnormal, mental processes may
have a variety of causes; i.e. diseased mind,
inappropriate role models, and adjustment to
inner conflicts.
SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACHES;
Sociological and psychological principles of criminality are
intertwined and technically not independent. As with
psychological theories, there are numerous sociological
formulations of the cause and control of criminality.
We will define sociological notions of criminality as;
• Attempting to connect the issues of the individual’s
criminality with the broader social structures and cultural
values of society, familial, or peer group.
• How the contradictions of all of these interacting groups
contribute to criminality.
• The ways these structures cultures and
contradictions have historically developed.
• The current processes of change that these
groups are undergoing.
• Criminality is viewed from the point of view of the
social construction of criminality and its social
causes.
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH;
Biological theories of criminality basically purport that
criminal behavior is the result of some flaw in the
biological make up of the individual. This physical flaw
could be due to…
1. Heredity
2. Neurotransmitter dysfunction
3. Brain abnormalities that were caused by either of the
above, improper development, or trauma.
Biological theorists would also endorse stricter
penalties and better law enforcement
techniques for crime control, but there are
specific to the biological theories of
criminality.
A. PSYCHOSURGERY – brain surgery to control behavior
has rarely been applied to criminal behavior. From 1930s-
1970s there were over 40,000 frontal lobotomies
performed. It was used to treat wide range of problems
from depression to schizophrenia. The lobotomy
separates the prefrontal lobe of the brain with a sharp
icepick like instrument that was inserted in the eye socket
between the upper eyelid and the eye. The psychiatrists
hit the end of the instrument with a hammer to
disconnect the nerves without using anesthesia.
CONTINUATION…
B. CHEMICAL METHODS OF CONTROL – the use of
pharmacological treatments to try to control crime has been
ongoing in two major areas; chemical castration for sex
offenders and pharmacological interventions for drug or
alcohol addicts.
C. DEEP BRAIN SIMULATION – is used for some disorders

such as Parkinson’s Disease, but has yet been investigated
for criminal behavior.

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THEORIES & CAUSES OF

❖ Any system of ideas arranged in rational order that produce

The crime triangle comes straight out of one of the main

Historically, there are three broad theoretical models of

C. DEEP BRAIN SIMULATION – is used for some disorders

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