PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY OF CRIME

Psychological Theory of Crime

Psychological Theory of Crime

In the United States, the sociological tradition has long held the dominant perspectives in criminology. Most university criminology courses are hosted by sociology departments, and a large number of criminologists, particularly those interested in theory and research, are trained as sociologists. Considering that the discipline of sociology is a science relying on multiple paradigms, encompassing the study of culture, human learned behavior, and social processes, it should come as no surprise that the sociological contributions to crime theory are associated with an assortment of explanatory models.

Rational Choice

The rational choice perspective views criminal behavior mainly as a product of decisions and choices. By analyzing crime displacement resulting from opportunityreducing measures or crime prevention, Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke have developed the concept of “choice-structuring properties” (the differential opportunities, costs and benefits, interpersonal relations, and spatial relations associated with specific crimes). To date, little is known regarding offender decision making and the choice-structuring properties of offenses. As these theories continue to develop, however, they may render some interesting insights into the interaction among personality and behavioral variables, interpersonal and relational variables, and spatial variables.

Integrated Models

As a result of the limitations associated with any one of the approaches discussed so far, more recent trends in theoretical development have been in the direction of theory integration. For example, Delbert Elliott, Suzanne Ageton, David Huizinga, and Rachelle Canter have sequentially combined parts of several theories including anomie, social disorganization, differential association, and social control to explain delinquent behavior. Another integrated model represented by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi's “general theory of crime” combines elements of routine activities, rational choice, self-control (which brings together psychoanalytic and sociological control factors), and personality trait theories of crime. Even though these theories present comprehensive illustrations of theoretical integration, they still face some explanatory challenges.

Terence Thornberry warns that integration does not simply mean combining elements of several theories. True integration entails interrelating different sets of theoretical perspectives, which is not without problems since it involves compromising conflicting assumptions. Travis Hirschi describes three approaches: parallel integration, sequential integration, and deductive integration. “Parallel integration” is expressed in terms of typologies or classification models with each category representing a unique causal explanation. “Sequential integration” is established by a temporal progression (time order) of several theories. “Deductive integration” implies the development of prepositional interrelationships with different perspectives brought together in a coherent system of explanation in ...