NCJ Number
15216
Date Published
1967
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THEORETICAL DISCUSSION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH A PERSON HAS FREEDOM OF CHOICE BETWEEN CRIMINAL AND LAW-ABIDING BEHAVIOR AND OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THAT CHOICE.
Abstract
ABSOLUTE DETERMINISM - THE IDEA THAT A CRIMINAL IS PREDESTINED TO BE A CRIMINAL - IS REJECTED, BUT SO IS ABSOLUTE INDETERMINISM - ABSOLUTE FREEDOM OF THE WILL. ONE 'LEARNS' TO BECOME A CRIMINAL OR A LAW-ABIDING PERSON BY 'LEARNING' FROM HIS CLOSEST ASSOCIATES WHETHER OR NOT TO CONFORM TO ESTABLISHED NORMS AND VALUES. THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE AUTHORITY BOTH OF HIS ASSOCIATES AND OF THE GOVERNMENT. A DESIRE FOR GREATER FREEDOM, THE BREAKING DOWN OF ETHICAL AND SEXUAL TABOOS, THE INCREASING USE OF DRUGS AND A WEAKENING OF THE AUTHORITY OF PARENTS, CHURCH, AND STATE ARE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE TENDENCY TO REJECT ESTABLISHED NORMS AND VALUES AND MOVE INCREASINGLY IN THE DIRECTION OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. --IN DUTCH