A. What is Human Behavior?
Human behavior refers to how people act. This can be:
Voluntary (by choice) – Like deciding to commit fraud.
Involuntary (instinct) – Like running away when hearing gunshots.
Human behavior is shaped by:
Heredity (Genes) – Some personality traits, like aggression, can be
inherited.
Environment (Surroundings) – Society, family, and experiences influence
behavior.
Why is this important in Criminology?
Criminal acts are behaviors. By studying them, we can:
Prevent crime (understand risk factors).
Investigate crime (analyze motives).
Rehabilitate offenders (modify behavior).
B. Why Do People Act the Way They Do? (Causation of Behavior)
People respond to the world around them in three ways:
Sensation – They react to things they see, hear, feel, smell, or taste.
Example: A gunshot might cause fear (flight) or aggression (fight).
Perception – They interpret their surroundings differently.
Example: One person sees a stranger reaching for their pocket and
assumes self-defense; another assumes it’s a robbery.
Awareness – They act based on past experiences.
Example: A child raised in a gang culture may see violence as normal.
C. Two Types of Human Behavior in Criminality
Criminal behavior falls into two categories:
Inherited Behavior (Instinctual)
Some reactions, like fight-or-flight, are natural.
Studies suggest aggression may be genetic, influencing violent crime.
Learned Behavior (Acquired from surroundings)
Criminal behavior can be learned from family, peers, and society.
Example: A child raised in a criminal household may see stealing as a
survival skill.
D. What Motivates Human Behavior? (Why People Commit Crimes)
1. Needs Theory (Basic Survival & Psychological Needs)
When people can’t meet their needs, they may turn to crime:
Food, money, shelter → Theft, fraud
Love, recognition → Gang involvement, status crimes
2. Freud’s Psychodynamics (Inner Personality & Crime)
Sigmund Freud believed behavior is controlled by three mental forces:
Id (Impulse) – Acts on instinct and desires.
Example: A criminal who commits murder in a fit of rage.
Ego (Reality Check) – Tries to balance desires with reality.
Example: A con artist who plans and calculates how to avoid getting
caught.
Superego (Morality & Guilt) – Represents conscience.
Example: A psychopath with a weak superego may commit crimes without
remorse.
E. How Can We Study Criminal Behavior?
Neurological – Brain issues can cause aggression (e.g., head trauma,
mental disorders).
Cognitive – Some criminals justify their actions (e.g., "Stealing is okay
because I'm poor").
Psychoanalytical – Repressed childhood trauma may lead to crime.
Behavioral – People learn criminal behavior from their environment.
Humanistic – Some people choose crime even when they have other
options.
F. Factors That Influence Criminal Behavior
Heredity – Some traits (e.g., aggression, impulsiveness) can be inherited.
Environment – Poverty, abuse, and bad influences push people toward
crime.
Learning – Criminal habits are taught and reinforced over time.
G. Types of Behavior in Criminal Actions
Type Example in Crime
Overt (Visible) vs. Covert (Hidden) Robbery vs. Hacking
Conscious (Planned) vs. Unconscious (Unintentional) Premeditated
murder vs. Road rage assault
Rational (Logical) vs. Irrational (Reckless) Fraud vs. Arson for fun
Voluntary (Intentional) vs. Involuntary (Accidental) Robbery vs.
Manslaughter
H. Personality Traits That Affect Criminal Behavior
Extraversion – Thrill-seekers, risk-takers (e.g., serial offenders).
Neuroticism – Emotionally unstable, prone to stress (e.g., repeat
offenders).
Psychoticism – Lacks empathy, aggressive (e.g., violent criminals, serial
killers).
Final Thoughts: Why Does This Matter in Criminology?
Understanding human behavior helps us predict and prevent crime.
Studying personality traits helps identify potential offenders.
Knowing the causes of behavior helps in criminal rehabilitation.
This is the foundation of criminology: Understanding why people commit
crimes so we can prevent and control criminal behavior.
