UNIT 2: Who commits CRIME?

Essential Question: Why do people commit crime? SELF-TEST Essential Question: Why do people commit crime? Brainstorm reasons for criminal behavior based on these three categories: Social Economic Biological

Nature v. Nurture debate

What do people become criminals? NATURE v. NURTURE NATURE: Criminals are born, not made Biological Theories – Genetic, Physiological, or Chemical factors lead to criminal behavior. Personality Theories – certain personality types inclined to crime NURTURE: Social Learning: Cultural Transmission Theory: Family shapes your criminal behavior (born into crime) Opportunity Theory: Social group shapes your criminal behavior (don’t hang with bad kids!)

About what makes someone a Criminal NATURE THEORIES About what makes someone a Criminal

NATURE: Old school theory #1 about criminals: Cesare Lombroso (1876) criminals are a separate species. Theory: shape of the head and face determined the "born criminal".

CRIMINAL HEADS ACCORDING TO LOMBROSO

ACTUAL CRIMINALS SMALLISH HEADS? Sometimes even poor theories can have some basis in fact. How might head size connect to criminal behavior?

Another Old School NATURE Theory: William Sheldon Body type shapes criminality. Endomorphic (fat ) sociable and relaxed. Ectomorphic (thin) are introverted and restrained. LEAST LIKELY TO BE CRIMINALS Mesomorphic = CRIMINAL (muscular and aggressive) . IDENTIFY SOME FLAWS IN THIS THEORY?

CRIMINAL BODY TYPE???

Some people suggest that if we can identify specific areas of the brain that are “damaged” or different from the general population will that mean more people will be found not guilty of crimes. 1. What defense would lawyers make in the above scenario? 2. If you were a prosecutor how could you counter that defense?

Neuro-physiological causes NATURE: MODERN THEORIES Neuro-physiological causes PET (brain) scans done on impulsive killers showed: 1. Damage in the: pre-frontal cortex, which controls impulsive behavior, 2. An undersized / damaged Amygdala: fear and aggression control (Charles Whitman) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtOQnM3LQkE Charles Whitman sniper

Nature: Neurochemical The brain’s chemistry can be influenced by diet, food additives, or pollution. The TWINKIE DEFENSE: A psychiatrist claimed that a poor diet could intensify mood swings as part of a “diminished mental capacity” defense.

Nature: Neurochemical STEROIDS? Can the abuse of steroids, which increase testosterone levels, can cause people to become extremely violent? ("roid rage"). NO direct link between steroids and violence has been made. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN7rf4Mm1QA

Nature: Twin studies- Genetic influence on crime IDENTICAL TWINS (same genes and gender) that have been separated at birth and brought up separately have been studied The degree of similarity between two twins is known as the concordance rate. This rate was compared with FRATERNAL twins who are brought up separately FRATERNAL twins: 17% Concordance rate for IDENTICAL twins: 55% There seems to be some genetic link to criminal behavior

Psychopaths and Sociopaths SIMILARITIES: Both are dangerous, impulsive, and criminally minded Both have definable mental disorders PRIMARY DIFFERENCE: Generally Speaking PSYCHOPATHS ARE BORN (NATURE) SOCIOPATHS ARE MADE (NURTURE)

Sociopaths (NURTURE): Are capable of EMPATHY and can form meaningful personal relationships Common sociological factors such as Abused as children, running with the wrong crowd, Poverty Parents are criminals / neglectful Personal Characteristics: Easy to spot: socially inadequate, agitated, don’t fit in, spontaneous ill-thought-out crimes

Psychopaths (NATURE) Extreme Narcissism More organized in crimes Psychopaths show some of these characteristics: More organized in crimes Less easily recognized – appear “normal” Cunning / ability to deceive / manipulative Superficially charming Lack of EMPATHY Lack of REMORSE / SHAME Takes pleasure in the suffering of others (including family) Flat affect (do not display emotion / fake emotion) Extreme Narcissism

From the DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL of MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM) Mental Disorders related to Psychopathy (and to a lesser degree SOCIOPATHS) From the DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL of MENTAL DISORDERS (DSM) 1. CONDUCT DISORDER (diagnosed before age 15) Criteria: lack of adherence to social norms (bullies, threatens, fights). Physically cruel to others Animal Cruelty Has forced someone into sexual activity Setting fires to cause harm and damage Lies, cheats, steals

lack of remorse, indifferent to the suffering of others 2. ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER From the DSM Diagnosed over age18; frequent diagnosis of serial killers, rapists, thrill killers CRITERIA: Violates norms (repeatedly arrested) Lies, deceives for profit or pleasure Impulsivity Irritability and aggressiveness Reckless disregard for safety of self or others Irresponsibility (work, repayment of debts) lack of remorse, indifferent to the suffering of others

Serial Killers Murder three or more victims, but each is killed on separate occasions Cooling off periods between murders Two or more murders at one time a “murder spree” Four or more murders “mass murder”

Serial Killers Many organized serial killers will fall into a pattern: modus operandi (method), location, victim type, motive, etc. The patterns of activities sometimes help police to apprehend the killer. FBI do not rely solely on “profiles”

Serial Killers Typical serial Killers are: More common among white males Have no grudge against their victims Within their twenties or thirties Middle class Kill within their ethnic group

Types of serial killers (patterns) Organized Characteristics: Socially competent (may lead a “normal” life) Intelligent (not geniuses) Planners Generally targets strangers Uses restraints Has sex with their victims Follows their crimes in the media Returns to scene More difficult to catch

Types of serial killers (patterns) Disorganized Characteristics: Socially immature May know victims Kills spontaneously Often sexually inhibited Harsh childhood discipline. Lives alone Sloppy crime scene / evidence present Shows little interest in the media Easier to catch than the organized killer

Easier to catch than the organized killer Characteristics: DISORGANIZED SERIAL KILLER Characteristics: -Socially immature -May know victims -Kills spontaneously -Often sexually inhibited -Harsh childhood discipline. -Lives alone -Sloppy crime scene / evidence present -Shows little interest in the media Easier to catch than the organized killer ORGANIZED SERIAL KILLER Characteristics: -Socially competent (“normal” life) -Intelligent (not geniuses) -Planners -Generally targets strangers -Uses restraints -Has sex with their victims -Follows their crimes in the media -Returns to scene More difficult to catch

Women serial killers: RARE Psychopathy: “Anti-Social Personality Disorder” RARE IN WOMEN 1. “Angels of Death” Nurses or health care workers who kill their patients 2. Mothers: Münchausen syndrome by proxy Deliberately cause injury or illness to another person (most often his or her child / 90% WOMEN), to gain attention or some other benefit. 3. BLACK WIDOWS: Husband murderers; favorite method: Poisoning

Women who commit Crime Men commit about 80% of all Crime / 93% of all murders Why do women commit so few murders? Theories: Women’s prefrontal cortex is larger than men’s = more ability to control aggression? Male Hormone: Testosterone in concert with physical size allows men to be more violent.

Who Commits Crime? 1. How are criminals like misbehaving children? Why don’t we severely punish children for their misbehavior? What is the difference between punishment and rehabilitation?

Freud: Criminals are like Children Children should progress from: Pleasure principle (id = need instant gratification) Reality principle (where the ego / self control is dominant). . Freud: stable home environment necessary to make the transition. Research has supported the fact that most criminals come from unstable homes.

Child abuse and Crime Abused or neglected children 59% more likely to be arrested as juveniles One study showed 76% of the serial rapists were abused when young. Only about 10% of abused children go on to commit crimes.

Juvenile “Delinquency” Many Juvenile offenders are diagnosed with CONDUCT DISORDER Causes of juvenile delinquency: Poor parenting / upbringing Psychological disorders Low intelligence Every state makes their own rules with regard to who is a juvenile

Juvenile courts less formal, more private than adult courts Early “JD’s” (juvenile delinquents) were sent to “REFORM SCHOOL” a type of prison / school for troubled kids Their goal was to REHABILITATE not just PUNISH Goal of Juvenile Justice Diversion: keeping juveniles from becoming adult criminals through: Counseling Intensive programs (educational / vocational) Release to parents Juvenile Courts

Landmark Court Cases regarding Juveniles: In Re Gault (1967) 15 year old boy (Gault) is arrested for making lewd phone calls Held by the police, questioned, and sentenced (6 years!) with no trial or input from his parents Supreme Court: Juveniles have the same rights as adults! Right to counsel Right to confront your accusers Right to remain Silent

Roper v. Simmons (2005) Supreme Court rules: defendants under the age of 18 cannot be executed Violates the CRUEL AND UNUSUAL punishment prohibition of the 8th Amendment (Mens Rea) This reminds us of Atkins v. Virginia (2002) which disallowed the execution of mentally retarded persons

Identify what is wrong with this driving schools’ curriculum Week 1: Watch videos of automobile accidents Week 2: Guest Speaker: Patrol officer speaks about car accidents and violation fines. Week 3: Memorize the NJ Points system for driving infractions Week 4: Learn the 5 ways you can lose your NJ driver’s license Week 5: Identify the public transportation routes you would need to use if you do not get your driver’s license.

New Jersey Agency: NJ Juvenile Justice Commission Emphasizes accountability and offers programs to create independent, productive and law abiding citizens. DIVERSION: Goal is to avoid incarceration Top Juvenile crime in NJ: Robbery Juvenile males: 59% of Arson arrests

Bringing down organized Crime R.I.C.O

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act R.I.C.O Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act 1970: RICO created to break up “organized crime” THE MAFIA MAFIA bosses did not ever directly commit crime. HOW DO YOU PROSECUTE THEM? RICO: anyone in charge of a criminal organization (gang) is subject to severe punishment Today RICO is used to prosecute any group / gang that acts illegally. Types of GANGS: Street, Prison, Motorcycle