Introduction
The case of Michelle Carter, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging her boyfriend, Conrad Roy III, to kill himself through a series of text messages and phone calls, raises important questions. In this reflection, various criminological theories that can provide possible explanations for Carter’s actions will be explored. Through the lens of social learning theory, psychopathy, and feminist theory of crime, it is possible to understand the motivations behind Michelle Carter’s encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide, despite knowing the consequences.
Discussion
The social learning theory is a criminological theory that suggests that individuals learn and adopt deviant behavior through observation and interaction with others. In the case of Michelle Carter, it could be argued that she learned and adopted the idea of encouraging suicide through her relationship and interactions with Conrad (Opp, 2020). Additionally, Carter may have observed Conrad’s struggles with mental health and how he talked about suicide and learned that encouraging someone to commit suicide is acceptable behavior.
Moreover, Michelle’s actions can be understood by demystifying the psychological theory of psychopathy, which posits that individuals with psychopathic traits lack empathy and remorse. Additionally, the theory showcases that people may engage in harmful and manipulative behavior without regard for the consequences (Opp, 2020). It could be argued that Carter exhibited psychopathic traits in her actions toward Conrad. She showed a lack of empathy for his struggles and pushed him to commit suicide despite knowing the consequences.
Feminist theory of crime suggests that women’s criminal behavior is often a result of the patriarchal society in which they live. In a patriarchal society, gender norms and expectations are established in a way that privileges men and oppresses women. In this case, societal pressure on Carter to be a “good” girlfriend and support her boyfriend may have contributed to her encouraging him to commit suicide (Britney, 2018). The theory suggests that women are often expected to be nurturing, empathetic, and supportive and to prioritize the needs of others over their own.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case of Michelle Carter raises important questions about the motivations and influences behind her encouraging her boyfriend to commit suicide. Through the lens of social learning theory, psychopathy, and feminist theory of crime, it is possible to understand how these different factors may have contributed to her actions. These theories have been shown how they can apply to Michelle, resulting in lethal consequences.
References
Britney, G. (2018). Michelle Carter: Can words kill? [Video]. YouTube. Web.
Opp, K. D. (2020). Analytical criminology: Integrating explanations of crime and deviant behavior. Routledge.