There are a number of theories related to criminal justice. These theory aim to answer the question why people commit various crimes and why they behave so in different situations (Akers and Sellers, 2008). Once you have understood the reasons as to why an individual performs a crime, one can come up with various methods to counter such a crime as well as rehabilitate the criminals. Some of these theories characterize these kind of crimes to the individuals. These theories explain that a person considers the pros and cons of the crimes and makes a mindful decision on whether to commit the crime or not (Einstadter and Henry, 2006). An example of criminal justice theories include; The Varies Reasons Why People Commit Crimes. In addition, there are various types of criminal activities. They include shoplifting, gang violence, murder, and fraud to name but a few. Therefore, considering criminal activities such as shoplifting, the theory of Varied Reasons Why People Commit Crimes can adequately be applied.
The theory, The Varied Reasons Why People Commit Crimes, focuses on the various reasons that motivates people in committing crimes by assessing the relationship between risk factors and criminal behavior. Therefore, it can be used to analyze the crime of shoplifting since it evaluates why individuals act in their own interests to make decisions to commit this crime even after considering the potential risks that come with it. These risks include getting caught and punished (Marsh, 2006). In addition, shoplifting is mostly committed because the individual acts out of desperation or even out of concern for the most basic of needs. Other people shoplift in order to gain quick money rather than working for it. Therefore, this theory can be used to assess the crime of shoplifting by identifying the different reasons why people perform the crime. This can be done by analyzing both the physical and social environment of the criminals and relate them with the behavioral choices they made in committing the crime (Marsh, 2006). For example, an environment with an unravelling social structure is more probable to have a high rate of crime. The theory explains reasons leading to criminal activities.
The theory is very relevant in explaining this criminal activity since it shows the relation that exist between the crime committed and the reasons that might have led to committing such activities. It attempts to explain why people are obligated in committing such crimes and also evaluates the solutions to the crime and how it can be handled effectively (Cao, 2004). It also seeks the most appropriate solutions in eventually lowering the types and levels of crime. Criminal activities such as shoplifting can be adequately assessed by this theory since it is commonly related to the social and environmental behavior of an individual.
In conclusion, Varied Reasons Why People Commit Crimes is a type of criminal justice theory that can be utilized to address criminal activities such as shoplifting. This theory is relevant in solving such criminal activities since the criminals act either out of desperation or out of concern for food or upkeep. Furthermore, these criminal activities are greatly influenced by the social and environmental factors within the society. These factors can be adequately be assessed by this theory making it highly relevant when it comes to such criminal activities. Finally, this theory also seeks various results to solve this criminal activities making it highly relevant.
References
Akers R. and Sellers C. (2008) Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation and Application. 5th Edition. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Cao, L. (2004). Major criminological theories : concepts and measurements. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Einstadter, W. & Henry, S. (2006). Criminological theory : an analysis of its underlying assumptions. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield.
Marsh I. (2006) Theories of Crime. Abingdon: Routledge
