Question

Research newspaper or magazine articles related to crime using the print or online news media.

Select two articles or news stories and apply at least two theories from the biological, psychological, and/or sociological perspectives to each article or news story.

Write an analysis of each article or news story addressing the following:

What is the purpose of the story as you perceive it?

How is crime or criminal justice portrayed?

What feelings or reactions are evoked in you by the article?

How would you explain the reported criminal behavior using the two theories you selected? Explain your choice of theory.

Give complete citation for the selected article and include a digital copy if possible.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary. Also, both the criminals mentioned below are well-known. You may change the article links if you like as the facts would remain the same through all reports.

(Answer) Frank Abagnale Jr. works as an American security consultant. Abagnale used to be a con man who committed fraud worth millions by forging cheques and money laundering. He was a con artist who aimed to acquire success and money through anti-social means. Abagnale tried to achieve the “American Dream” or what was society’s idea of success even though society did not particularly give him the tools to achieve that goal.

This is similar to the Social Strain Theory. According to Robert K. Merton, one can determine the type of deviance based on a measurement of innovation, conformity, retreatism, rebellion and ritualism. Merton proposed the ‘Social strain theory’ in the year 1938. He observed that society puts pressures and expectations on people and organizations without really giving them the means to achieve what is expected of them. For instance, society expects a qualified person to have a college degree but doesn’t really offer assistance on how to pay for it.

http://criminalminds.wikia.com/wiki/Frank_Abagnale

Ted Bundy is possibly one of the most notorious serial killers ever. He was charged with murder, rape, kidnapping and even necrophilia. He committed his crimes during the 1970’s when he worked as a grocery clerk. Bundy was born out of wedlock and raised by his grandparents who he believed were his parents. Only during his college years did he realise that the woman he believed was his older sister, was actually his mother. This was done to avoid the social stigma that an illegitimate child would have to face.

Bundy’s stepfather was very inclusive and accommodating. He used to take Ted on camping trips and interact well with him. However, Bundy seemed to exhibit psychopathic behaviour that kept him distant from his stepfather and even the children at high school. Bundy admitted that he did not understand how the students interacted with each other, how they were friendly and social. However, Bundy learnt how to fake these emotions in order to be social.

Along with being a psychopath, Bundy also indulged in compulsive thievery. Bundy’s high school girlfriend broke up with him, which caused him to be depressed. This was when Bundy searched records and discovered his true parentage. He went on to become a psychology major at the University of Washington and became a very social individual who was well-liked by the professors.

Generally, one would apply the psychopathic theory to a case like Bundy’s. However, it seems like his actions were more the result of a disease than a disorder. Psychopaths have reduced connections between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. This is probably the reason for Bundy’s behaviour. Although there seemed to be bouts of a different personality, it was probably all well staged. As Bundy himself admits that he was good at faking socially appropriate behaviour. This is also one of the traits of a psychopath. Furthermore, he was reared in a false environment where he believed his parents and sisters were different people, this may have worked as a motivator for his actions.

http://criminalminds.wikia.com/wiki/Ted_Bundy