Essay Crime Theories

Submitted By hatcherc
Words: 476
Pages: 2

Crime Theories

Criminality has been associated with human nature since the dawn of time. Crime is an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law. Cyber crime is a crime conducted via the internet or some other computer network. The term cybercrime is restricted to criminal activity via a computer or network but can include crimes where a computer or network is used to support criminal activity. Cyber crime is a fairly new form of crime with its beginnings as early as the 1970s to present day. Society is now coming to terms with this new activity that has unlimited boundaries. This paper will provide a general overview of “self-control “and “routine activity” theory relating to cybercrimes. “Self-Control Theory also known as the General Theory of Crime was formulated by criminologists Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi that states the lack of self-control is the main element in criminal behavior. Individuals who were raised by ineffective parents before the age of eight tend to develop self control issues more than individuals who were raised by better parents. Studies have suggested that low self-control is parallel to with criminal and impulsive activity. Individuals with low self-control are impulsive and frequently engage in risk-seeking behavior (Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990). People who lack self-control will seek opportunities without consideration of negative consequences of their behavior. Self-Control Theory is the most relevant cause of cybercrime. Self-control is more related to morality than it is to an individual trait. A person ability to refrain from a criminal act is more relied on how an individual was raised and the moral values instilled within them. Self-control will always be a relevant factor in crime because the individual will take into consideration his or her morality and worldly view. One example relating to this theory is hate crimes. Hate crimes are violent and motivated by prejudice that’s targeted towards members of s certain