Factors Affecting Criminal Behaviour Flashcards
what are the ranges of factors that may lead to criminal behaviour
psychological factors, social factors + economic factors, (often linked with cultural and racial problems as well, such as ATSI cycles of abuse and low socioeconomic backgrounds), genetic factors (mental health), political factors and self interest factors
what are social and economic factors
individuals who may be disadvantaged believe there are fewer reasons to obey the law since it may be perceived that society was the. cause of their problems. Statistically, people are more likely to commit crimes if they come from a poor or disadvantaged background
poor education and lack of skills lead individuals to commit economic offences to improve their financial situations
- 63% of criminals are aged below 30, they have low academic achievements, which often lead to lack of employment/ unstable work patterns
Cultural and racial problems can contribute to social and economic theories relating to criminal behaviours.
- culture factors may also contribute to criminal behaviour. Laws such as Law Enforcement (Police Powers and Responsibilities) Act NSW 2002 are applied to all citizens, but cultural differences may mean som ATSI offenders are less likely to comply with move-on powers etc
LCMID stats for economic factors
one third of male and one half of female criminals in NSW receive welfare payments
what are genetic factors
Studies have been conducted attempting to link criminal behaviour to a genetic abhorrence. However, no conclusive evidence yet exists
Yet, some genetic disorders can increase the chance of criminal behaviour, such as poor impulse control and mental illness.
- about 54 percent of women and 47 percent of men in prison are reported as having been assessed or treated for a mental health problem (including depression, anxiety, psychosis, BPD)
1993, Hodgin’s study wa sone of the first able to examine clinical associations between mental health and crime, discovering that people who have mental illness are at a higher-than average risk of offending, not because of mental health per se, but because of the higher-than average prevalence OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE in this population.
- fragmentation of mental health services and accompanying risks factors of mental health - property, poor education, poor social skills lack of family support, unemployment all lead the mentally ill to situations of high exposure to psychoactive substances
- indeed, rural country NSW crime rates are often linked with cycles of substance abuse, where Dr Weatherburn states how ATSI people turned to a reliance of alcohol due to histories of colonisation, dispossession, and child-removal.
what are political factors
some people break the law because they feel that the law they are breaking or the action they are protesting against is wrong. For example, terrorism is an extreme case
what are self-interest factors
most crimes are committed in the interest of the offenders. For example, White colour crimes are a good example of crimes motivated by personal greed, rather than external factors
