Theories On Criminals

Although there are several theorists that have tried to discover the reasoning as to why people become criminals. Each theorist has different theories explaining criminal behavior. There is the anomie theory or innovative adaptation. This explains that those with criminal behavior have a condition when behavioral expectations are unknown, undefined, or in conflict (Champion, 2008). This theory is accredited to Robert King Morton, however was originally proposed by the French sociologist Mile Druthers (1858-1917) (Champion, 2008).Morton implies that people either accept or reject goals of society, and they accept or reject means to accomplish those goals (Champion, 2008). Psychological theories address the individual's behavior through trying to explain the inner workings of the mind (Champion, 2008). One theory that tries to explain the how the mind of a criminal works is the social learning theory. Social learning theorists such as Albert Bandeau, Walter Michel, and Richard Walters suggest that criminals are formed by modeling criminal behavior after other criminals (Siegel & Welsh, 2012).Biological theories explain criminal behavior through abnormal physical structure, hereditary criminal behaviors, and biochemical disturbances (Champion, 2008). In 1957, David Matzo and Gresham Sykes set out to teach others about their theory of naturalization among Juvenile delinquents (David Matzo, 2009). Naturalization theory is actually a technique that allows an offender to rationalize their criminal act (David Matzo, 2009). Youths that fall under this theory will consider them responsible for the crime, deny there were any injuries or victims, and blame the victim(s) for the offender's actions.