CRJU 475: Crime and Criminal Behavior
Journal Assignments
1. Why do you think people commit crime? Go beyond “they are evil” or “people make stupid decisions”. This would be a good place to use examples from your own life. Perhaps tell me why you committed a crime – even a minor petty offense or why someone you know broke the law.
2. What does rational choice or deterrence theories offer in terms of policies to stop or reduce crime? Give specific examples of policy, programs or other ideas resulting from your careful reading of the text.j
3. Watch the PBS video "Inside the Teenage Brain" via the following link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/
Respond in your journal about the video. What implications do the biological and psychological theories have for the issues outlined in this video?