People commit crimes for many reasons, none of which can be pinpointed without examining each case separately. Some people may even have more than one motive to commit a crime. Some motives are personal, while others have nothing to do with the victim’s explicit qualities. Some motives are social while others are psychological. Some of the most common reasons people commit crimes might be shocking, but the motive always makes sense to the offender.
Rational Choice
Some criminals make rational decisions to commit their crimes. Rational choice theorists suggest that people act out of self-interest and weigh out the pros and cons of taking action. Criminals who fit into this category will weigh out the risks and rewards before committing a crime. For instance, a criminal will look at an empty house as an opportunity and weight the benefits, material goods, against the consequence of being caught or harmed in the process. Some criminals can be extremely short-sighted in looking at both factors, resulting in an easy catch for the police.
Environment
Physical and social environments may influence somebody to commit a crime. This is entirely common within families and neighborhoods in which crime is a normalized aspect of daily life. Parents who commit crimes regularly are more likely to raise a child who also has a cavalier attitude about crime. Social learning takes place through friends, family members and peer groups. This is also known as social disorganization theory. This is often the case with domestic violence. If violence in the home is accepted, children grow up to act out similarly against others.
Passion
The truth of the matter is that some people commit crimes out of love, or at least what they perceive as love in the heat of the moment. This is the case with many cases of domestic murder. A husband or wife may get involved in an affair and see no better way out than to murder his or her spouse.
Mental Illness
Mental illness is another major reason why some people commit crimes. It is a rare occasion for somebody to have no concept of right and wrong. Most people with mental illness who commit crimes have reasoning skills that make it difficult for them to weigh out the consequences of their actions.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction is another significant factor in what causes somebody to commit a crime. It is not uncommon for drug addicts to run out of money for the next fix. This is a common cause for criminals to rob houses, mug and pickpocket people on the streets or break into cars even if they can only find change. Obtaining quick cash is the main motive for these criminals.
Understanding the reasons why people commit crimes is essential to learning how to deter and prevent crimes from happening. Examining these scenarios can be helpful for creating criminal profiles and determining the motivations that make crimes such a significant part of society today. Whether somebody commits crimes out of love or drug addiction, it affects each of us.
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About Today's Guest writer:
Mary Hansen is a family counselor and guest author at www.topcounselingschools.org, a site with guides to top-rated online counseling degree programs.
