The United States is widely known for its mass incarceration rates. In recent years, there has been a decreasing trend in the number prison populations, individuals being supervised by correctional systems, and rates of incarceration. Although we are seeing these decreases, there are still entirely too many people getting charged for various crimes. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics (2016) an estimated 6,741,400 United States citizens were being supervised by correctional systems in the year 2015 (Minton & Zeng, 2016). An average day in 2015, consisted of an estimated 721,300 jail confinements. On top of that, the population of incarcerated individuals stood at 2,173,800, approximately 1 in every 146 people (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2016).
Given these startling statistics, there is a lot at stake when such significant numbers of people are spending time in prison. Figuring out ways in which crime rates can be decreased is one goal that must be met, and to do this the origins of crime must be understood. In this blog, the causes and possible solutions to criminal behavior and incarceration will be discussed.
What kind of variables may predict or produce criminal behavior? The origins of criminal behavior involve many theories and concepts, which attempt to explain why someone involves themselves in this kind of activity in the first place. Generally, how we develop is equally dependent on both environmental and biological factors. Regarding an individual’s biology, some theories suggest criminal behavior is the result of genetics, neurological functioning, and biochemistry (Schneider, 2012). Studies have shown that sons whose biological parents were criminals, are much more likely to engage in future crime (Lytton, 1990.) Adriane Raine, a criminologist, suggests that just like there is a genetic predisposition for various mental disorders, there is also a biological basis for violence (Gross, 2013). Other biological factors, including hormone levels and gender also may contribute to criminal behavior.
Sociological explanations for crime are also commonly explored. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure that combines factors such as occupation, education level, and income. A lower SES includes factors such as receiving little income, living in a poor neighborhood, and a having low education level. Individuals with a lower SES are at greater risk for engaging in criminal activity. The strain theory explains why this may be. The theory suggests that criminal behavior in low SES individuals is caused by undue strain or frustration with pathological social structures (Schneider, 2012). In order to live up to middle-class expectations, lower SES individuals may engage in criminal behavior to attain goods (e.g. money). The subculture theory also provides explanation to how sociological factors may initiate criminal behavior. This theory states that criminal behavior among low SES cultures occurs because individuals of that culture are only conforming to what they perceive as normal (Schneider, 2012).
As was mentioned above, development tends to be equally influenced by biological and environmental factors. Social psychological theories keep this in mind when attempting to explain criminal behavior. According to social learning theory, criminal activity is a result of learned behaviors through a person’s interactions and experiences with the social environment (Schneider, 2012). An individual may be more susceptible to engaging in crime, if they are witnessing the criminal behavior of others. They may also realize that their criminal behavior is met with peer approval and rewards, increasing the likelihood that a future crime is committed. Antisocial personality disorder is a common psychological ailment that is seen in criminals. The presence of this disorder increases the chance that a person engages in crime and misconduct. Characteristics of antisocial personality disorder, abuse of drugs or alcohol, temperament, and negative family experiences are all considered factors in the general personality and social psychological model of criminal behavior, a comprehensive list of risk factors for crime (Schneider, 2012). The more criteria that is met from this list, the more likely an individual is to engage in criminal activity. The origins of criminal behavior is relevant in this discussion, because the first step in reducing incarceration rates is reducing crime itself. In order to do this, understanding the predispositions to criminal activity is imperative.
What are the solutions to criminal behavior? Treatment for antisocial personality disorder has been shown to be successful in decreasing criminal activity in certain individuals. A combination of therapy and medication is used to treat said patients. Typically, therapy focuses on reversing the antisocial attitudes that are present in the patient, as well as targeting the support or continuation of the criminal behavior. If the patient sees mostly rewards for their behavior, rather than the potential consequences, it is likely the behavior will remain.
By understanding where criminal behavior comes from, we become one step closer in decreasing the massive rates of incarceration in the United States. Incarceration can have many psychologically damaging effects, so it is important that social psychologists work to improve the mental state of these individuals. A main concern is how inmates are being treated. It is vital that we treat inmates humanely to increase the likelihood that criminal activity will not continue post-prison. For many individuals, prison is only temporary and when they are released ex-inmates typically find themselves to be unemployed, financially unstable, and psychologically stressed. All of these setbacks make it more likely that future criminal activity will ensue. If the ultimate goal for the justice system is to decrease crime, attention should be centered on rehabilitation programs for people that spend an excessive amount of time in jail. With the appropriate programs being implemented, drastic changes can be made in the criminal justice system. Most importantly, we need to collectively stop viewing prisons as a wastebin for criminals, but rather utilize the prison system to help improve troubled individuals’ lives.
References
Gross, T. (2013, April 30). Criminologist Believes Violent Behavior is Biological. Fresh Air Podcast. Podcast retrieved from http://www.npr.org
Lytton, H. (1990). Child and parent effects in boys’ conduct disorder: A reinterpretation. Developmental Psychopathology, 26, 683-697.
Minton, T. D., & Zeng, Z. (2016, December 29). Jail Inmates in 2015. Retrieved March 05, 2017, from https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5872
Schneider, F. W., Gruman, J. A., & Coutts, L. M. (2012). Applied social psychology: understanding and addressing social and practical problems. Los Angeles: Sage.