NCJ Number
61106
Journal
Sociology Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 75-88
Date Published
1979
Length
14 pages
Annotation
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES ON CRIME HAVE FAILED TO EXPLAIN ADEQUATELY THE ACT OF COMMITTING AN INJURY. CRIMINAL MOTIVATION IS EXAMINED IN REGARD TO THE FACTORS THAT MAKE A PERSON VIEW HIMSELF AS A DELIVERER OF INJURY.
Abstract
ANY ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE EVOLVES CERTAIN PARAMETERS WHICH DISCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNORTHODOX OR NEW IDEAS. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES CONCERNING CRIME HAVE IGNORED ONE MAJOR QUALITY OF CRIME; I.E., ITS CAPACITY TO CAUSE INJURY OR LOSS TO INDIVIDUALS. CRIMINAL LAW HAS FOCUSED ON RESTRAINING OPPORTUNITIES USED BY MEN TO HURT ONE ANOTHER, AND CRIMINOLOGY HAS CONCENTRATED ON THE CAUSES, SETTINGS, AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN CRIMES AND IGNORED THE ACTUAL INJURY OR TRANSACTION. SEVERAL THEORISTS CONSEQUENTLY, HAVE DISTORTED SOCIOLOGICAL VIEWS OF CRIMINAL AND CONFLICT PROBLEMS. AN EXAMPLE CAN BE FOUND IN THEORIES ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOR MOTIVATION WHICH EXCLUDE THAT CRUCIAL STAGE WHERE A PERSONS ACCEPTS HIMSELF AS A DELIVERER OF DAMAGE AND PROCEEDS TO COMMIT A CRIME. THE ARTICLE DISCUSSES FACTORS INFLUENCING AN INDIVIDUAL'S SELF-IMAGE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TOLERANCE OF ONESELF AS A CREATOR OF DISTRESS, AND THE ACTIONS OF THE COLLECTIVE SELF WHICH REFLECT THE ORGANIZATION OF A PARTICULAR SOCIAL WORLD. THESE INTERNAL PROCESSES CAN GUIDE THE COURSE OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS. EXAMPLES ARE CITED, SUCH AS INDIAN TRIBES WHO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF FELLOW TRIBEMEN, BUT DENY THOSE OF OUTSIDERS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MJM)