The Impact of Social Determinants on Criminal Behavior

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Question #1: What is your Theory I do concur with the theory that social determinism is why people commit crime and least agree with biological determinism as the least cause of crime. Question#2: Present a brief argument articulating and defending the criminological perspective that most corresponds with your beliefs, as indicated by your choice of theories. Criminal behavior is a response to social circumstances. Many aspects shape human behavior, which attributes to shaping their criminal behavior. Social determinants of behavior include education, culture and ethnicity, customs, and interpersonal interactions. Criminal behavior is connected to our social life, and this is a theory that we can prove through observation of what takes place in society. Humans aspire for social and monetary success, and if they cannot reach this point, they try shortcuts in criminal activities for life fulfillment. An individual's social cycle shapes a person's identity and behavior and is the key aspect of social determinism. Social rules to deter moral behavior are evident in society and prevent people from going astray. Interaction with peers determines social behavior. When you interact with goons, you're highly likely to become a goon. Various factors can pull a person into engaging in criminal behavior. Poverty, discrimination, inequality, and negative social interactions can prompt people to go astray from societal norms. Many sociological theories have been developed through sociological inquiry. Question#3: Present a brief argument articulating and defending the criminological perspective that least corresponds with your beliefs, as indicated by your choice of theories. The analogy that biology determines criminal behavior is a myth. This myth disregards the influence of social interactions, learning, and the environment. Biology supports that human beings do not have free will to refrain from criminal behavior and have no internal control of their behavior. If biological determinism is true, we would not have universal laws that guide us on morality. The validity of race as a determinant of criminal behavior puts this theory subject to attack. This analogy forces discrimination against the racial minorities and narrows them down, and is stereotyped as criminal behaviors. Biological determinism is baseless and seclusive. How can criminal behavior be an issue with biology? This theory does not come with much sense. I dispute the fact of tallness and shortness on biological determinism. The theory is defective and has many loopholes. Many assertions of the theory are questionable and are tentative. The theory claims that there are distinct features that you can note in victims of crime. Biological determinism is very wrong in its depiction of human nature. It creates fear and isolation in certain groups in society. Its beliefs are more than labeling and stigmatization. This theory is doomed, and almost all theory claims are subject to criticism and dismissals. I know of friends and family of different heigh proportions, shapes of noses, and body physique, but they are good people of great minds, hardworking, and virtuous. We cannot identify a criminal by just looking at them. This makes biological determinism void and refutable. Enforcing biological determinism as a tenet that causes criminal behavior faces the laws of justice and universal societal laws that deters criminal behavior. Biological determinism is rational and leads society astray. Question #4: Explore various Periods in the Timeline. Find an example of a historical point when each of the four dominant theories influenced Corrections. Conflict Theory: Conflict theory believes that law and justice are to the advantage of those in power, and the minorities are suppressed. The 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis showed the manifestation of conflict theory. The bank bailouts manifested at the time showed a real-life manifestation of conflict theory. The financial crisis led to instabilities and inequalities in the global economic system. The crisis caused a suppression of the poor, and the rich reigned in business and finances. The largest banks and institutions took advantage of the situation, avoiding government oversight by taking huge risks that benefited a few individuals in power. The crisis caused a rise in the unemployment rates, loss of homes, savings, and a general decline in consumption rates. The poor were the most vulnerable in this situation since the rich and powerful took advantage of the tough time. Social Determinism: Social determinism alludes to factors beyond our control, such as family, peers, unemployment, and poverty. An example of Social Determinism is China's non-western's view of the causes of crime. From 1949- to the 1970s, China h advocated for the Marxist theory on the interpretation of crime. The pre-1949 was an old society, and hooligans and gangsters refused to reform. There were aspects of cunning, selfishness, and decadence which perpetuated crime. The legacy of the old society depicted cultural backwardness and poverty. This made China conclude that social factors contribute to criminal behavior. The cultural revolution in the 1960s and 1970s in China has been cited as the cause of crime. It sparked confusion and loss of authority. The economic reforms that followed forth led to economic growth but also led to an increase in criminal activities. The unintended reforms led to the respect of the authorities...