Can a Child Be Held Responsible for a Crime

Can a Child Be Held Responsible for a Crime?

An Analysis of a Child Between 2 and 6 Years of age

Forum 3 Case Study

Sandra S. Brinkley

7/12/2014

Can a Child Be Held Responsible for a Crime?

An Analysis of a Child Between 2 and 6 Years of age

To determine if a child is criminally responsible for the crime of murder, we must consider the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial factors that contributed to the child committing this crime.

A child’s brain is still changing during this time and they do not possess the social understanding or planning that is needed to premeditate a crime. The prefrontal cortex of the brain is not fully developed in a child, as it is in an adult. Because of this the amygdale, which controls emotions and fear, overwhelms the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex. Therefore with appropriate treatment a child who commits even the most violent crimes can be rehabilitated.

In the book the author talks about maltreatment of children by their parents or others. Maltreatment and abuse can impact a child’s emotional and psychological growth which may produce fear and aggression in a child. They can become socially inadequate and unable to communicate with others. They become more aggressive and hostile when around other children.

Paget examined the cognitive development of children between the ages of 2 and 6 which he called “preoperational intelligence”, which is described as a time for symbolic thought in language as well as in imagination. The child’s skill of reasoning is not fully developed. The child can not differentiate between what is real or not real and believes that the world around them will remain the same. They do not recognize the changing that is going on in their world.

Vygotsky believed that children are influenced by the behavior and attitude of the people around them. They are curious and observant of all things around them and ask a lot of question. Parents should lead by example and provide encouragement and...