27767_Justin_Jones_CJUS_605_Major_Paper_1_2238678_1180614092

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The Victimized Actor Model being the Best Model to explain Criminality Justin Jones McNeese State University CJUS 602 Court Justice Administration Telephone: 337-930-5439 Email: msu-jjones38@mcneese.edu Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Creel

The Victimized Actor Model being the Best Model to explain Criminality When it comes to explaining criminal behavior and criminality in contemporary society, there are three models that attempt to explain them. These models are the rational actor model, predestined actor model, and the victimized actor model. Out of the three, I feel that the rational actor model best explains criminal behavior and criminality in cotemporary society. In this paper, I will expand on the reasons why the rational actor model is the best model because people have free will and they choose to commit crimes. People who commit crimes usually make rational choices to commit crimes because they see it as a net benefit to them. This paper will offer reasons as to why the rational choice model is the best model and also offer suggestions as how to reduce crime. Rational Choice Theory explaining Criminality Choices due to free will The primary reason why the rational choice theory is the best model to explain crime is that people have free will and they use that free will to make choice to commit crimes. For example, many people who commit crimes are poor and they often see themselves committing crimes as an act of desperation or revenge. Studies show that disadvantaged communities suffer from high levels of violent crime (Krivo & Peterson, 1996). This shows that people who often decides to commit crimes often feel hopeless and deprived. They often make the choice to commit crimes out of choice of desperation, or they make the decision to get revenge on someone who they felt has wronged them. Regardless of the reason, these criminals look at the benefit of committing the crime and often make that decision based on their current living conditions.

Punishment Another reason why the rational choice theory is the best choice for the criminality is that it explains why people decides to commit crimes. They look at the potential punishment and make the decision that the benefit of committing the crime is outweighs the potential punishment that comes along with it. The person looks at the potential cost-benefit analysis to make a choice whether to commit the crime (Pratt, 2008). When it comes to committing crime, people look at the overall benefits and detriments and decide whether the crime is worth it. Therefore, it is important for their to be an adequate punishment to persuade offenders to not commit crimes. How to Prevent Crimes Stiffer Punishment To make potential offenders less likely to commit crimes, it is important for punishments to be strict and cause offenders to think about the offender. According to Burke (2021), punishment should be made harsh enough so that the benefit of committing the crime never outweigh the punishment. It is important for the punishment to make the offender reconsider their options and to consider whether the crime is worth the potential punishment, Furthermore, it is also important for the punishment to be delivered fast and quick to put more pressure on the offender. Conclusion With regard to explaining criminal behavior and criminality, I feel that the rational actor model explains the best because it discusses how people have free will to make the choices that they feel fit their needs. This decision can be influenced by factor such as poverty or living health conditions, which lead to them making a choice whether to commit the crime. This leads

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to the offender making a decision whether the benefits of committing the crime outweighs the potential punishment that comes along with the crime. Therefore, it is important for the punishment of crimes to be strict so that potential offenders are convinced not to commit the crimes. The three models of criminality all offers good reasons into criminality, but the rational actor model offers the best theory because it looks at the mindset of the offender and judges their reason for offending.

References Burke, R. H. (2021). Contemporary Criminological Theory : Crime and Criminal Behaviour in the age of moral uncertainty . Routledge. Krivo, L. J., & Peterson, R. D. (1996). Extremely disadvantaged neighborhoods and urban crime. Social forces , 75 (2), 619-648. Pratt, T. C. (2008). Rational choice theory, crime control policy, and criminological relevance. Criminology & Pub. Pol'y , 7 , 43.

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