Psychology and Crime

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Psychology and Crime |

The Psychological Theories of Crime |

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Arslan. S. Sheikh |

3/27/2013 |

It is always been believed that crime is deeply related to psychology. Some of the psychologist and biologist had presented some theories regarding crime. The famous psychological theories in respect of crimes are Rational Choice theory, Eysenck’s Theory and Trait theory. |

Hugo Munsterberg (1863 – 1916) was the first one to apply criminal psychology in research and theories, it is known as Forensic Psychology. For some unknown reasons the call of Hugo Munsterberg’s call was answered after decades later. When the brutal World War II ended, psychologists were approached to make the predictions regarding some issues. There have been some psychological theories regarding crime presented by psychologists and biologists. One of the best theories regarding crime is Rational Choice Theory.

The Rational Choice theory was presented by Dr. William Glasser. In his piece of work that many criminologists believe that choice theory is likely to be the most common reason of doing a crime by the criminals. The reason for this act of criminality may be vengeance, greed, jealousy, rage, envy or even just to be adventurous. The Rational Choice theory is somehow belonged to the classical school of criminology which was developed by Cesare Beccaria who was a social thinker. There are three kinds of criminal behavior exist under the banner of rational choice theory. The first behavior is rational actor under this behavior a man is free to commit any crime as he desires same as he is free to perform any other act. This conduct is influenced by Social Contract theories and Utilitarianism. The second behavior is predestined actor tries to change the environment which is beyond his control so he commits crime and the social and psychological environment around him gets changed. The last type is called victimized actor this behavior steers the person to commit the crime...