Introduction
Crime is an ever-present part of modern life, and understanding the decision-making process that leads to criminal activity helps to explain its prevalence. Contemporary criminology studies criminal behaviour and examines how individuals, groups, and societies make specific decisions that can lead to criminal activity (Bosworth & Hoyle, 2011). From a contemporary criminological perspective, crime is a decision-making process which is influenced by individual and environmental forces. This includes looking at the economic and social aspects affecting decision-making, such as a person’s lifestyle, access to resources, and the impact of peers and family (Lilly et al., 2018). Therefore, people make decisions that may lead to criminal behaviour, usually impacted by social norms, economic deprivation, or cultural and family values.
Main body
Contemporary criminology suggests that the social context shapes individual decision-making. Social factors comprise the social structures, institutions, and networks within a given society (Murphy, 2019). These structures, institutions, and networks create norms and values that can impact the decisions of individuals. For example, individuals exposed to poverty, inequality, and marginalization patterns are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour as they feel excluded from society and its opportunities. Additionally, a person is more likely to engage in criminal behaviour if surrounded by others doing the same (Murphy, 2019). Thus, social factors significantly impact individuals’ decision-making, resulting in criminal behaviour.
Crime is usually perceived as an outcome of a person’s decision-making process. According to Burke (2018), contemporary criminologists believe that an individual’s rational choices are highly influenced by their social environment in the community or society. For instance, an individual may commit a crime due to a lack of job opportunities or peer pressure. In addition, social aspects such as poverty, inequality and discrimination may define a person’s decision to commit a crime (Lilly et al., 2018). Thus, crime is now seen as a consequence of a complex decision-making process which considers the individual’s cognitive abilities and the social and economic environment.
Economic context determines a person’s decision-making process because it can influence their ability to meet their basic needs and desires. Contemporary criminology understands that when people struggle to make ends meet, they are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour to meet their financial needs (Burke, 2018). For example, impoverished individuals are likely to commit theft or other property crimes to secure financial resources or other necessities. In addition, people living in neighbourhoods with higher levels of economic inequality may be more likely to engage in criminal behaviour to survive or compete for resources (Bosworth & Hoyle, 2011). Thus, contemporary criminology recognizes economic context as essential in understanding criminal behaviour.
Moreover, crime is a product of a decision-making process that involves choosing paths that are seen as more beneficial than the repercussions. According to contemporary criminology, an individual’s decision-making process is impacted by their economic environment, personal history, and psychological constituents (Carrabine et al., 2020). For example, one may commit a crime due to a lack of financial resources or because they are desperate or angry. Furthermore, an individual may be influenced by their peers or the media to engage in criminal behaviour (Bosworth & Hoyle, 2011). As a result, the decision to commit a crime results from a complex process involving multiple influences within their environment and considerations.
Crime is a complex phenomenon which is usually viewed as an act of aberration from the social norms by a person or group. Criminological perspectives suggest that individuals who commit a crime may be influenced by their cultural environment, as it allows them to act in a certain way (Carrabine et al., 2020). Crime is due to a decision-making process shaped by the individual’s culture, values, and beliefs. Based on this, cultural context may be seen as the main factor affecting individuals’ decision-making, including those who commit crimes (Lilly et al., 2018). Thus, crime can be perceived as a consequence of an individual’s decision-making process, in which culture plays a significant role.
Contemporary criminology understands the role of the political context in influencing individual decision-making and behaviour. It determines that people are affected by their political environment. Walklate (2007) have identified how laws and policies disproportionately target some populations, such as those of lower socio-economic status. Based on this, these legislations can lead to an unequal distribution of power and resources, resulting in poverty and social exclusion. Contemporary criminology determines how institutions and structures such as the criminal justice system, social welfare policies, and policing practices can create a hostile environment where some individuals are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour (Lilly et al., 2018). People make decisions based on the political context in which they are situated.
History plays an integral role in shaping an individual’s decision-making process regarding criminal behaviour. The criminal justice system has been heavily influenced by the legacy of slavery and has been passed down from one generation to another (Newburn, 2009). This legacy has created a power imbalance between the state and the people in specific communities, which can lead to criminal behaviour. For example, individuals in neighbourhoods with high levels of poverty may feel they have scarce resources and options, leading them to engage in crime. In addition, marginalized communities may experience a lack of trust in the legal system, influencing the decision to take matters into their own hands (Newburn, 2009). Therefore, the history of a community can explain why individuals may engage in criminal behaviour.
At the individual level, crime can be due to decision-making based on cognitive and emotional concepts. Cognitive factors are logical, rational decision-making considering costs and benefits linked with a given action, whereas emotional aspects involve an individual’s feelings and drives, such as anger and aggression (Burke, 2018). These factors can influence the criminal behaviour that a person adopts. An individual may be tempted to commit a crime due to its potential gain, but their emotional state may cause the decision to act on that temptation. For example, someone with a history of impulsivity and aggression is more likely to work on their desire to commit a crime than someone without these traits. Thus, cognition and emotion are integral concepts that can influence decision-making in crime.
Conclusion
Crime is a consequence of a decision-making process shaped by social, economic, political, and historical factors. Contemporary criminology has shown that crime is due to a decision-making process influenced by various environmental aspects. Social factors can include poverty and inequality, while economic factors can include unemployment and a lack of economic opportunities. Political factors can consist of the justice system and policies, while historical factors can include colonial legacies and cultural traditions. These aspects can influence individuals’ decision-making, leading some to commit crimes as they see it as a viable option to meet their needs.
References
Burke, R. H. (2018). An introduction to criminological theory. (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Bosworth, M., & Hoyle, C. (2011). What is criminology? Oxford University Press.
Carrabine, E., Cox, P., Fussey, P., Hobbs, D., South, N., Thiel, D. and Turton, J., (2020). Criminology: A sociological introduction (4th ed.). Routledge.
Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T., & Ball, R. A. (2018). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (7th ed.). Sage publications.
Murphy, T. (2019). Criminology: A contemporary introduction. Sage publications.
Newburn, T. (2009). Key readings in criminology. Willan publishing.
Walklate, S. (2007). Understanding criminology: Current theoretical debates (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education (UK).