The Importance Of Criminal Behavior

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Defining criminal behaviour is difficult, a crime is defined as an act that violates criminal law. The difficulties arise, as this means an act is required, and it must also be carried out with criminal intent, those below the age of criminal responsibility therefore cannot commit an act that is legally criminal. The age of criminal responsibility is arbitrary and differs from country to country. This and other such examples create difficulties for researchers exploring criminal behaviour, as the actual behaviour does not by itself always constitute a crime. When trying to understand criminal behaviour it can therefore be more productive for researchers to take a broader approach and look at antisocial and delinquent behaviour as well as criminal…show more content…
This he ( who Durkeim or Hagan?) felt was produced in modern society by individual’s ( s’) ambitions and the search for new pleasures, which were beyond everyone’s achievement even at times of prosperity. (Merton, 1938) ( how did Merton in 1938 take the idea???Took this idea further and focusing on the idea of the American dream, illustrated how there was a dysfunction between the cultural value of success and the social structures available with which to achieve it. This discrepancy or what others (who?)termed strain between ones aspirations and achievements is what Merton believed lead to antisocial behaviour, as certain people partook in non-conformist or illegitimate means to achieve their goals. Strain theory and anomie are key concepts which contribute to the understanding of criminal behaviour by shedding light on the pressures within society, which cause individuals to engage in non-conformist conduct. Merton highlights how cultural goals are not always attainable to all through acceptable legitimate means (Hagan, 2013; Merton,…show more content…
The thought was that due to a change in routine activity crime rates had increased as the structure of routine activities provides the opportunity for crime??????????? Routine activities are defined as recurrent and prevalent activities that provide basic population and individual needs. These include formalised work, provision of standard food, shelter, leisure, social interaction, learning and childrearing. These activities can occur at home or away from home. For a crime to occur this approach hypothesised there needs to be a motivated offenders, suitable targets and the absence of capable guardians ato prevent such offences occurring Due to an increase in a number of factors since world war II, of more people living alone, of more females attending college, and of more children in school, homes were being left empty for longer. This was considered to create a a target for an offender and it being a suitable target as it had little or no guardians present (Cohen & Felson, 1979; Hagan,

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