Why do crimes occur

Although 70 percent of Americans believe the overall U. There were 7. These percentages reflected a 1. There were 1. While these percentages reflected a 4. Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Tennessee reported more than violent crimes per , residents. Conversely, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont reported fewer than violent crimes per , residents.

Individuals engaging in criminal behavior are typically influenced by a combination of various biological, psychological, and social factors.

Individuals exhibiting antisocial behavior may have an underdeveloped or damaged prefrontal cortex, which is the reasoning part of the brain responsible for self-control. Another part of the brain that factor into criminal behavior is the amygdala, which is involved in fear, aggression, and social interaction. Additionally, imbalanced levels of testosterone, dopamine, and serotonin may contribute to criminal behavior.

The anterior cingulate cortex ACC , which is heavily involved in behavior regulation and impulsivity, could also be a contributing factor. Researchers have proposed various theories examining social and environmental factors that influence or drive individuals to commit crime. Some theories point to elements like neighborhood dynamics, pressure caused by cultural goals and social structures, and the development of subcultural systems as the reasons for criminal behavior.

Other theories suggest factors like rational choice, feelings of being unfairly disadvantaged compared to peers, and various biological and social elements as criminal influences. A key psychological theory is behavioral theory, which postulates committing a crime is a learned response to situations. Another prime theory is cognitive theory, which explores how individuals solve problems through moral development and information processing. Psychological theories scrutinize personality traits like extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness when examining criminal behavior.

Unemployment is not just an issue relevant to the developing countries but equally common in developed countries. Unfortunately people spend a lot of money on their education, but seldom come across a good job immediately post the completion of their studies. Most youngsters destroy their careers when they engage in criminal activities very early on in their lives. This is another major reason for crime rates increasing every day. In countries where there is economic deprivation of even the basic rights, it is common for people to rebel and transition into doing notorious activities.

Furthermore in small communities it is common for people to engage in fights over land, property, wealth etc. Especially during election campaigns, it is common for angry people to destroy cars, houses and properties to tell the government how cruel they can be if not entitled to their rights.

People who are not served justice become hostile and often engage in crimes. Though most of the courts of law try to do their best in the light of available evidence and all, but sometimes the innocent are proven guilty in the court which compels them to show the ugly side of their personality to the world. As many as thousands of people blame the judicial system as unfair and commit crimes. Many often kill the members of the winning party when justice is not served to them. In many developing countries, it is common for people in small communities to kill each other based on simple issues.

Lastly, we would like to conclude, it is crucial to stay away from crime. The world is completely blind in separating needs from desires. Even if you have less money for survival, you must be happy with it instead of willing to contour yourself in the pool of crime. Sign in. Log into your account. Forgot your password? Password recovery. Recover your password. Get help. Home Living Top 10 Reasons for Crime. All Rights Reserved.

Studies indicated that increased levels of some neurochemicals, such as serotonin, decreases aggression. Serotonin is a substance produced by the central nervous system that has broad sweeping effects on the emotional state of the individual. In contrast higher levels of others, such as dopamine, increased aggression. Dopamine is produced by the brain and affects heart rate and blood pressure.

Researchers expected to find that persons who committed violent crimes have reduced levels of serotonin and higher levels of dopamine. This condition would have led to periods of greater activity including aggression if the person is prone towards aggression. In the early twenty-first century researchers continued investigating the relationship between neurochemicals and antisocial behavior, yet connections proved complicated.

Studies showed, for example, that even body size could influence the effects of neurochemicals and behavior. Hormones are bodily substances that affect how organs in the body function. Researchers also looked at the relationship between hormones, such as testosterone and cortisol, and criminal behavior. Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by male sexual organs that cause development of masculine body traits.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by adrenal glands located next to the kidneys that effects how quickly food is processed by the digestive system. Higher cortisol levels leads to more glucose to the brain for greater energy, such as in times of stress or danger.

Animal studies showed a strong link between high levels of testosterone and aggressive behavior. Testosterone measurements in prison populations also showed relatively high levels in the inmates as compared to the U.

Studies of sex offenders in Germany showed that those who were treated to remove testosterone as part of their sentencing became repeat offenders only 3 percent of the time. This rate was in stark contrast to the usual 46 percent repeat rate.

These and similar studies indicate testosterone can have a strong bearing on criminal behavior. Cortisol is another hormone linked to criminal behavior. Research suggested that when the cortisol level is high a person's attention is sharp and he or she is physically active. In contrast, researchers found low levels of cortisol were associated with short attention spans, lower activity levels, and often linked to antisocial behavior including crime.

Studies of violent adults have shown lower levels of cortisol; some believe this low level serves to numb an offender to the usual fear associated with committing a crime and possibly getting caught. It is difficult to isolate brain activity from social and psychological factors, as well as the effects of substance abuse, parental relations, and education.

Yet since some criminals are driven by factors largely out of their control, punishment will not be an effective deterrent. Help and treatment become the primary responses. Conforming to Merton's earlier sociological theories, a survey of inmates in state prisons in the late s showed very low education levels. Many could not read or write above elementary school levels, if at all.

The most common crimes committed by these inmates were robbery, burglary, automobile theft, drug trafficking, and shoplifting. Because of their poor educational backgrounds, their employment histories consisted of mostly low wage jobs with frequent periods of unemployment.

Employment at minimum wage or below living wage does not help deter criminal activity. Even with government social services, such as public housing, food stamps, and medical care, the income of a minimum wage household still falls short of providing basic needs.

People must make a choice between continued long-term low income and the prospect of profitable crime. Gaining further education, of course, is another option, but classes can be expensive and time consuming. While education can provide the chance to get a better job, it does not always overcome the effects of abuse, poverty, or other limiting factors. A person's peer group strongly influences a decision to commit crime. For example, young boys and girls who do not fit into expected standards of academic achievement or participate in sports or social programs can sometimes become Crack cocaine pipe displayed by police.

Drugs and alcohol impair judgment and reduce inhibitions, giving a person greater courage to commit a crime. Children of families who cannot afford adequate clothing or school supplies can also fall into the same trap. Researchers believe these youth may abandon schoolmates in favor of criminal gangs, since membership in a gang earns respect and status in a different manner. In gangs, antisocial behavior and criminal activity earns respect and street credibility.

Like society in general, criminal gangs are usually focused on material gain. Gangs, however, resort to extortion, fraud, and theft as a means of achieving it.

The fear of young people, mostly boys, joining gangs influenced many government projects in the last half of the twentieth century including President Lyndon Johnson's —; served —69 "War on Crime" programs. Some social factors pose an especially strong influence over a person's ability to make choices. Drug and alcohol abuse is one such factor. The urge to commit crime to support a drug habit definitely influences the decision process.

Both drugs and alcohol impair judgment and reduce inhibitions socially defined rules of behavior , giving a person greater courage to commit a crime. Deterrents such as long prison sentences have little meaning when a person is high or drunk. Substance abuse, commonly involving alcohol, triggers "stranger violence," a crime in which the victim has no relationship whatsoever with his or her attacker.

Such an occurrence could involve a confrontation in a bar or some other public place where the attacker and victim happen to be at the same time. Criminologists estimate that alcohol or drug use by the attacker is behind 30 to 50 percent of violent crime, such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery. In addition drugs or alcohol may make the victim a more vulnerable target for a criminal by being less attentive to activities around and perhaps visiting a poorly lighted or secluded area not normally frequented perhaps to purchase drugs.

The idea that drug and alcohol abuse can be a major factor in a person's life is why there are numerous treatment programs for young people addicted to these substances. Treatment focuses on positive support to influence a person's future decision making and to reduce the tendency for antisocial and criminal behavior.

Another factor many criminologists consider key to making a life of crime easier is the availability of handguns in U. Many firearms used in crimes are stolen or purchased illegally bought on what is called the "black market".