Criminal homework help
Criminological Research Paper
Offenders commit crimes for different reasons. Criminological theories attempt to explain why crimes occur. For the Final Paper, you will evaluate the theoretical study of crime and crime causation by examining the crime of an offender and applying a criminological theory discussing why the offense occurred.
You must discuss both the offender and the crime in detail. Additionally, you must research the criminological theory to be used; discuss the theorist responsible for coining the theory, the year it was created, the premise of the theory, and how it is applicable.
Below is a list of offenders that were reported in the media as a result of the heinous nature of their offense. Select one of the offenders, and research their crime. You may only use scholarly sources when citing in your paper. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source.
First, select an offender from the list of offenders.
Offenders
Alex and Derek King (12 and 13 when they killed their father)
Andrew Luster (Cosmetic fortune heir who was convicted of drugging, raping, and videotaping assault of young women)
Bernard Madoff (perpetrated world’s largest Ponzi scheme, bilking investors of billions of dollars)
Charles Cullen (Most prolific serial killer in New Jersey history, killed patients with drugs from the hospital)
Cheng Chui Ping (Smuggled thousands of Chinese immigrants to the United States)
Eric Rudolph (Serial bomber responsible for several anti-abortion and anti-gay bombings, killing two and injuring 111)
Jesse Timmendequas (Raped and murdered a seven-year-old girl)
Joel Steinberg (lawyer who beat six-year-old daughter to death)
John B. Taylor (former Wendy’s manager who robbed and shot seven employees)
Kathy Boudin (radical involved in robbery that led to the death of two police officers and a security guard)
Ken Lay (Enron accounting fraud, wiped out employee-stockholders’ pensions)
Michael Devlin (kidnapped and sexually abused two boys while living openly as their “father”)
Robert Chambers (nicknamed the “Preppie Murderer,” killed 18-year-old woman in Central Park)
Sante Kimes (grifter who, with son, murdered elderly socialite to get townhouse)
Seung-Hui Cho (South Korean student who killed 32 people and wounded 17 others at Virginia Tech)
Susan Smith (falsely claimed carjacking to cover drowning of her children)
Zacarias Moussaoui (would-be 9/11 hijacker now serving life sentence in federal prison)
Then, select one theory from the list.
Theories
Age-Graded Theory
Anomie Theory
Arousal Theory
Behavioral Theory
Biochemical Theory
Cognitive Theory
Control Balance Theory
Critical Criminology
Critical Feminist Criminology
Cultural Deviance Theory
Deviance Place Theory
Differential Association Theory
Differential Coercion Theory
Evolution Theory
General Strain Theory
Instrumental Theory
Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential (ICAP) Theory
Interactional Theory
Left Realism Theory
Lifestyle Theory
Rational Choice Theory
Theory of Crime and Genetic Theory
After you research the criminological theory and the case, your paper must
Explain the theory in detail.
Discuss the theorist responsible for coining the theory including the year the theory was created.
Describe the premise of the theory.
Explain how it is applicable.
Discuss both the offender and the crime in detail.
Discuss how the theory explains the actions of the criminal selected from the list above.
The Final Paper
Must be 12 to 15 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.).
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must use at least five scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
_______________
Offender: Bernard Madoff
Crime: Perpetrated the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, bilking investors of billions of dollars.
Theory: Differential Association Theory
Explanation of the Theory:
Differential Association Theory, developed by Edwin Sutherland in 1939, proposes that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others. According to this theory, individuals become criminals when they are exposed to more definitions favorable to law violation than to law-abiding behavior. Criminal behavior is seen as a result of social learning and associations with others who engage in criminal activities.
Theorist and Year:
Edwin Sutherland is responsible for coining the Differential Association Theory in 1939.
Premise of the Theory:
The premise of Differential Association Theory is that criminal behavior is not inherited or biologically determined but is instead a learned behavior acquired through social interactions. Individuals learn techniques, motives, and attitudes conducive to criminal behavior from their associations with others, particularly within close-knit groups.
Applicability of the Theory:
Differential Association Theory is applicable to various forms of criminal behavior, including white-collar crimes like fraud and embezzlement. It suggests that individuals like Bernard Madoff may engage in criminal activities because they have been exposed to a subculture or social network that promotes illegal behavior. Madoff’s involvement in the financial industry and his connections with other individuals involved in fraudulent schemes might have influenced his adoption of criminal practices.
Offender and Crime Description:
Provide a detailed description of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Discuss the magnitude of the fraud, the number of victims affected, and the financial consequences of his actions. Include relevant details such as Madoff’s role in the scheme, the methods he used to deceive investors, and any accomplices or facilitators involved.
Explanation of Offender’s Actions through Differential Association Theory:
Analyze how Differential Association Theory explains Bernard Madoff’s criminal actions. Focus on how his interactions and associations within the financial industry might have shaped his decision to engage in fraudulent activities. Discuss the role of his social networks, the reinforcement of criminal attitudes and techniques, and the influence of his exposure to other white-collar criminals. Examine how the theory can provide insights into Madoff’s motivation, rationalization, and persistence in carrying out the Ponzi scheme.
