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Psychology and Sociology of Law Enforcement

Perspective on the Nature of Man

The societys social, political, and economic structures are based on its fundamental premises about human beings, their inherent tendencies, abilities, weaknesses and preferences. (Nelson, 1975)

Theories of education, political science, law enforcement, economics as well as policies of government are based on implicit assumptions about the nature of humankind. (Eisenberg, 1972)

When Crime is at Issue

A society that believe that humans are by nature aggressive and violent will have different methods of social control than a society that believes, they are by nature peaceful and loving.

The Innate Violence Viewpoint

A society committed to this viewpoint is forced to accept the position that little can be done to change a criminals destiny.

Using this perspective, the solution to crime is not to reeducate or train criminals, improve opportunities, or reduce poverty but instead to make criminal behaviour less appealing to the perpetrator.

Harsh criminal penalties, target hardening, and de-emphasis on individual rights of the criminal reflect this viewpoint.

The Multi-Factor Viewpoint

Various factors in the society contributes to criminality. The socio-cultural environment primarily shapes our behaviour.

The Concept of Rehabilitation

As opposed to punishment, rehabilitation aims to provide criminal offenders a chance to reform themselves and be reintegrated back to the community as productive, useful and contributing citizen.

Perspectives in Law Enforcement


Difference in Degree Perspective (Darwinism) Difference in Kind Perspective Determinism Behaviourism Interactionism

Difference in Degree Perspective

It places humans along a single continuum of all living things. That humans only differs in degree as compared to animals

Difference in Kind Perspective


Humans differ in kind from animals. That is, intellectually humans appear to differ in kind from all animals.

They can certainly do a lot more than other animals because of the humans organically complex brain structure.

The Human Cognition

Cognitive functioning refers to the internal mediation processes that take place within the brain.

Two Types of Cognitive Functioning

Conceptual Thinking

Perceptual Thinking

The Conceptual Thinking

It is the core of the difference in kind approach. Human thought because of concepts that are integrated and organized within the mind enables us to transcend the immediate environment.

The Perceptual Thinking

A type of thinking which is confined only to the perceptual present.

The Perspective of Determinism

It seeks to answer the nature and location of human behaviour. Particularly, in law enforcement, it aims to understand the factor or factors that causes criminal behaviour.

Two Types of Determinism

Internal Determinism (Dispositional Theory)


External Determinism (Situationism)

Internal Determinism (Dispositional Theory)

The belief that humans are driven by powerful instinctual drives or biological needs that make them commit crimes

External Determinism (Situationism)

The belief that humans are little more than complicated robots who respond reflexively or automatically to environmental stimuli

Implication

Both internal determinism and external determinism reflect a passive view of humankind.
Human beings are not seen as active responsible agent but as helpless, powerless reactors.

Behaviourism Perspective

All behaviours can be understood by considering stimuli in the environment in combination with rewards and punishment received from the environment.

The Perspective of Interactionism

Both individual and environmental factors play crucial roles in determining criminal behaviour.

Thank you and Good day!

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