The causes of crime Part III

Psychological theory of crime, as well as biological, associates criminal tendencies with a particular type of personality.

In the 20^th century some psychologists, based on the ideas of Sigmund Freud, have suggested that a small proportion of people develop “immoral” or psychopathic personality. According to Freud, most of our moral standards come from self-imposed constraints, which are taught in early childhood. Due to the special nature of the relationship with parents, some children have not produced similar self-restraint, and thus there is no basic sense of morality. Psychopaths can be described as people who find pleasure in the violence itself. However, such features have far not all violators of the law.

A great number of scientists stick to the sociological theory. One of the most important aspects of the sociological approach is the emphasis on the relationship of conformity and deviation in different social contexts.

First, in modern societies there are many subcultures, and the norm of behavior in one subculture may be regarded as a deviation in the other.

Second, in societies there are strong differences between rich and poor, and these differences have extremely strong influence on the propensity to crime of various social groups. Some types of crimes – such as pickpocketing – are committed mostly by people from the poorest. Other types of crimes – such as embezzlement or tax evasion – by definition, committed by people, who have, on the contrary, high welfare.

Third, the very understanding of what constitutes criminal behavior may vary significantly.

American sociologist and criminologist Edwin Sutherland links crime to the fact that he called differential association The idea of differential association is very simple. In a society containing many subcultures, some social communities encourage illegal actions, and others – no. According to Sutherland, criminal behavior is absorbed mainly in the primary groups – in particular in peer groups. A person’s peer group strongly influences a decision to commit a crime. For example, young boys and girls who do not fit into expected standards of academic achievement or participate in sports or social programs can commit a crime to attract attention to themselves. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment and reduce inhibitions (socially defined rules of behavior), giving a person greater courage to commit a crime. Deterrents, such as long prison sentences have little meaning when a person is high or drunk. Children of families who cannot afford adequate clothing or school supplies can also fall into the same trap. Researchers believe these youths may abandon schoolmates in favor of criminal gangs, since membership in a gang earns respect and status in a different manner. In gangs, antisocial behavior and criminal activity earns respect and street credibility.

People make choices about their behavior; some even consider a life of crime better than a regular job – believing crime brings in greater rewards, admiration, and excitement – at least until they are caught. Others get an adrenaline rush when successfully carrying out a dangerous crime. Many criminals believe that crime pays. Only 20 percent of the people involved in illegal activities ever get caught. Since prisons are overcrowded, criminals can usually bargain for lesser penalties by pleading guilty. Many of them are confident that they can escape arrest.

Answer the following questions:

1) How did Freud and his successors explain “immoral” personality?

2) How does sociological theory explain the relationship between conformity and deviation in different social contexts?

3) What is the idea of differential association?

4) Why do some people consider a life of crime better than a regular job?

TASK 30. Replace words and word combinations in brackets by their English equivalents from the text above.

1. Psycological theory of crime (связывает криминальные наклонности с определенным типом личности). 2. According to Freud, most of our (моральных норм) come from (самопринуждений), which are taught in early childhood. 3. Psychopats can be described as people who (находят удовольствие в самом насилии). 4. One of the most important aspects of the (социального подхода) is the emphasis on the relationship of (приспосабливаемости и отклонения/конформизма и девиации) in (различных социальных контекстах). 5. In modern societies there are many subcultures, and (норма поведения в одной субкультуре может рассматриваться как отклонение/девиация в другой). 6. Such types of crime as (растрата) or (уклонение от налогов) – (по определению) committed by people, who have (высокий достаток). 7. (Само понимание) of what (составляет преступное поведение) (может быть очень различным). 8. In a societycontaining many subcultures, (некоторые социальное объединения поощряют незаконные действия). 9. A person’s (группа сверстников) strongly influences a decision to commit a crime. 10. Membership in a gang (приносит уважение и положение) in a different manner. 11. Since prisons are overcrowded, criminals can usually (рассчитывать на) lesser penalties by (в случае признания вины)ю

TASK 31. Translate the following text into Russian in written form. Answer the questions after the text.