The man and women then stole a car and cocaine from a dealer and drove across the country; several days later they were both apprehended and sent to jail for a long time. This example illustrates that one impulsive behavior after another can lead to a series of crimes committed. Freud's Psychoanalytical Theory offers a rationale to why individuals would use illegal drugs -- impulse - and this is a criminal act in itself but also can often be the trigger more criminal behavior.
Non-Psychological Theory
James Q. Wilson and Richard J. Herrnstein developed a Constitutional-Learning Theory that integrates biological and social factors together to explain criminal behavior (1985). The Constitutional-Learning Theory is based on the idea that criminal and non-criminal behavior has a weighted system of gains and losses; for example the need for money (gain) outweighs the loss (punishment for theft) and when this occurs the individual does not consider the consequences of his or her misguided behavior (Wilson & Herrnstein, 1985). Wilson and Herrnstein argue that physiological arousal is a major component of classical conditioning; thus, people who cannot associate negative feelings with committing crime will not be stopped from committing a criminal act (1985). The argument also supports the notion that impulsive children who lack socialization skills are at the greatest risk of becoming criminals (Wilson & Herrnstein, 1985). Wilson and Herrnstein's Constitutional-Learning Theory works well with both the classical and positive theories of criminology; positive in the fact that it emphasizes free will and choice and the positive theory because of social deterrents acting as a factor.
Wilson and Herrnstein's Constitutional Learning Theory makes a strong case for individuals making choices based on a weighted system of gains and losses. The Constitutional Learning Theory supports the notion that an individual is bound by free will to make his or her own logical choices. In the criminal activity of using illegal drugs Wilson and Herrnstein believe that individual choose the ills of drugs after weighing the pros and cons.
When individuals make weighted choices to use, possess, manufacture, or distribute drugs they generally have an idea of both the positive and negative consequences. Choices involving the personal use are typically to gain a high or a pleasure off the illegal drug and weighted against the notion that being caught and paying a fine or going to prison is not a deterrent. Other choices like possessing, manufacturing, and distributing illegal drugs have a different set of positive or negative influences. When individuals choose freely to possess, manufacture, or distribute illegal drugs the gains are financial and the increased standard of living outweighs the loss that would be imprisonment and major fines.
Most individuals who decide to use, possess, manufacture, and distribute illegal drugs are doing it on his or her free will. Everybody has seen drug dealers and drug lords in the movies or on the news. A well recognized example in this case is the fictional movie character Tony Montana from the movie Scarface. In this movie, Tony Montana creates a better lifestyle for himself by making choices based on free will; the choices made were criminal. Wilson and Herrnstein's Constitutional Learning Theory was on display when Montana decided to make a Weighted decision; he decided that doing dishes was not a good avenue for him and his friend, so he choose a lifestyle of drugs knowing he could be filthy rich and had no worries about going to prison. Unfortunately, in this case the loss was not prison, but his life as the life of being a drug dealer has tremendous risks
Analysis
An analysis describing the better of the two theories in explaining the crime of illegal drug use is delved and the reasons are explained, while discussing the implications of this theory in terms of how it could influence a crime-control policy. Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalytical Theory and James Q. Wilson and Richard J. Herrnstein Constitutional-Learning Theory both make strong cases.
Freud's theory is positive and Chicago and emphasizes an individual displaying antisocial and outward impulses that is a good fit for the criminal act of illegal drug use. Freud's Analytical Theory described an individual's disconnect with his or her parents, and this may or may not be the case with illegal drug use. So the hypothesis on Freud's Analytical Theory is does work with explaining illegal drug...
Crime Theories and Sociology Crime theories and sociological perspective Crime is an overt omission or action through which a person breaks the law, hence the action is punishable and the person may be convicted in the court of law for the said action. It is the subject of great debate in sociology and criminology that what constitutes crime. Since deviation from law has to be considered as crime, the nature and context
Crimes Criminal Activities Crimes against public disorder In order to be convicted of disorderly conduct, according to the State of Massachusetts the defendant must have committed three specific things: 1) involved themselves in fighting, threatening, or violent behavior, or create a situation that is hazardous or physically offensive, 2) the defendants actions were most likely to affect the public, and 3) the defendant must have intended to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm,
Crime Causation Diversion: Comparison of Juvenile Diversion, Intervention, And Prevention Programs Operating in California The objective of this study is to compare juvenile diversion, intervention, and prevention programs operating California. This study will examine how programs work to reduce juvenile crime and then conduct an analysis of the relationship between program premise and goals and one of more major causes of juvenile delinquent behavior. One of the provisions to juvenile offenders is
Crime Prevention Anything that defies the laws and is accountable for punishment forms into a criminal activity with the nature of crime. Crime features harm and violence, to people, to laws, to properties overall showing denial to the existence of these entities. Crime as stated by the judiciary laws must be contrary to the limitations set by the laws and must pose harmful situation to present of future occurring events. Crime
Crime and Intelligence Analysis The Roles of Crime Analysis and Intelligence Analysis in the Future of Policing and Homeland Security The state of this country after the September 11 attacks was of utter shock and disbelief at what had taken place in New York City. One of the most important questions on everybody's mind was whether the United States was safe from another such attack. This question of safety is one that
Crime Where on one hand, it can accurately be concluded that the challenges that are faced by cities have substantially increased due to the recession, it would be inaccurate to suggest that it has caused them. Long-term commitments and service levels have been offered in the past by Governments when it was well-known it would be incredibly hard to deliver on such promises. These include healthcare coverage schemes after retirement and
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now