6-2 Journal: Criminal Prosecution
Mackenzie Peterson
PSY 310
August 7, 2021
Limitations
There are various psychological theories that can be used in the prosecution of criminals.
but they also have their limitations. Psychological theories of crime identify and assess the
different causes and precursors of criminal behavior (Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M., 2016). The
main limitation that can be identified is that psychological theories often fail to include social
and cultural factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Most psychological theories focus on
environmental factors, and they also contain bias and assumptions. An example of these biases
and assumptions would be racial bias, or assumptions that all children raised in poverty have a
predisposition for criminal behavior. While we can use these theories as a basis for understanding
criminal behavior, every case is different and there is not a "mold" that all criminal behavior fits
in. Limitations such as bias and assumptions can be rectified if they are considered during the
prosecution process. Also, including social and cultural factors along with environmental factors
would help to strengthen these theories.
Motivational Factors
I do believe that age does impact an individual's motivations to participate in criminal
behavior. The younger an individual is when they begin criminal behavior, the more likely they
are to carry it out into adulthood. "Child delinquents are two or three times more likely to
become serious, violent, and chronic offenders than adolescents who begin offending in their
teens" (Bartol, C. R., & Bartol, A. M., 2016). Research conducted by psychologist Terrie Moffit
showed that, "Across the life course, these individuals exhibit changing manifestations of
antisocial behavior: biting and hitting at age four, shoplifting and truancy at age ten, selling drugs
and stealing cars at age sixteen, robbery and rape at age twenty-two, and fraud and child abuse at
age thirty" (Moffitt, 1993a). Individuals that are exposed to and participate in delinquency at an
early age are more likely to continue that behavior and evolve it into worse offenses.
References