If someone attacks you, you are the victim of an assault. They might use an offensive weapon such as a knife.
Read the text.
Read the text. Look at the summary statements below and match them with one of the causes in the text (genetic, environment, choice).
1 Anti-social adults often produce anti-social children.
2. Criminals think carefully before they decide on a life of crime.
3. Young people who behave badly tend to become criminals.
4 People used to think that someone's physical features were a cause of crime.
Some experts now believe that people commit crimes because of their genes.
Criminals consider what they can lose and gain by committing a crime.
Which reason in the text do you think is the most common cause of crime?
What other reasons can also be causes of crime?
GENETIC CAUSES
The idea that some people commit crimes because of biological factors has a long tradition. This theory suggests that criminals are born, not made. In the 19th century some people even thought brain sizes and skull shapes could explain criminal behaviour. Although experts today no longer believe this, they do argue that human behaviour can be linked to an individual's genes. Studies of adopted children who show criminal behaviour suggest that their behaviour is more similar to their biological parents' behaviour than their adoptive parents', showing a genetic link.
ENVIRONMENT
This theory states that a person's surroundings influence their behaviour. Just as children learn good behaviour from their parents and siblings, so children can learn bad behaviour from their families and other close relationships. Researchers in this area argue that early anti-social behaviour in childhood often leads to a future of criminal behaviour. It is a vicious circle, as one expert stales: “Problem children tend to grow up into problem adults, and problem adults tend to produce more problem children.
CHOICE
The central idea of this theory is that crime is a career decision, an alternative way of making a living. The theory argues that most criminals are rational people, who know what they want and the different ways of getting it, i.e. work or crime. They are able to balance the risks of committing a crime, such as going to prison, against its benefits, i.e. what they gain if they aren't caught. The conclusion is: if there are more benefits than risks, do it, but if there are more risks than benefits, don't do it.
Research is continuing into people's motivation for committing crimes as understanding this may help us apply the correct punishments for crime. It is important to understand the causes of crime. With more knowledge, if I will be easier to prevent crime and to help criminals to lead a more useful life.
Discussion.
Answer the questions.
What is a crime?
What are the most common crimes in your country?
What are the most serious crimes in your opinion?
Do you think crime has increased nowadays? What do you think are the reasons?
What makes people commit crimes?
Do you agree that punishment should fit the crime? What do you think is the best way to fight crime? How crimes should be punished? Give 2-3 examples of crimes and their punishments.
Is it possible for a person, once committed a crime, to correct and improve himself?
Imagine you are a journalist who is going to interview a prisoner. What questions would you like to ask and what feelings would you have?
Comment on the following statements.
1. Criminals are born, not made.
2. Most criminals are either greedy or lazy.
3. Crime doesn’t pay.
4. Petty crimes lead to serious crimes.
5. Once a criminal, always a criminal.
6. Television programmes are a major cause of crime.
Write a composition, including your answers from discussion task 1 (1-7) as a plan.