Factors affecting criminal behaviour
Subject :
SECURITY EDUCATION
Class :
Basic 3 / Primary 3
Term :
Second Term
Week:
Week 5
Topic
Factors affecting criminal behaviour
Behavioural Objectives :
- Students will be able to identify and explain the various factors that can affect criminal behavior.
- Students will be able to analyze and evaluate how these factors interact and contribute to criminal behavior.
- Students will be able to apply their understanding of these factors to real-world examples of criminal behavior.
Materials:
- Textbook on the different factors affecting criminal behavior (biological, psychological, social, environmental, cultural)
- Real-world examples of criminal behavior (news articles, case studies, etc.)
Content
What is a crime
A crime is an unlawful behaviour punishable by a state or other authority.
A crime is an act or omission that is prohibited by criminal law and punishable by the state. A crime is considered to be a serious offense against society and is punishable by imprisonment, fines, or other legal sanctions.
Crimes can be classified into two main categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are more serious crimes, such as murder or grand theft, and are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, such as petty theft or disorderly conduct, and are punishable by imprisonment for less than one year or a fine.
Crimes can also be classified as violent or non-violent. Violent crimes are those that involve the use or threat of physical force, such as murder, assault, or robbery, while non-violent crimes are those that do not involve the use or threat of physical force, such as fraud or embezzlement.
What are criminal behaviours?
Criminal behaviours are unacceptable behavior in any community.
Criminal behavior refers to actions that are in violation of criminal laws and are punishable by imprisonment or other legal sanctions. Examples of criminal behavior include:
- Murder: the intentional killing of another person without legal justification.
- Theft: taking property that belongs to someone else without permission or consent.
- Robbery: taking property from someone by force or the threat of force.
- Assault: causing physical harm or injury to another person.
- Rape: non-consensual sexual intercourse.
- Fraud: intentionally deceiving someone in order to gain something of value.
- Drug offenses: possession, manufacturing, or distribution of illegal drugs.
- White-collar crime: financial crimes committed by individuals or businesses, such as embezzlement or insider trading.
- Cybercrime: use of the internet to commit crimes such as identity theft or hacking.
- Organized crime: criminal activities committed by a group or organization.
Others examples criminal behaviours are
Falsehood
2. Fighting
3. Stealing
4. Lying
5. Bodily harm
6. Forgery
7. Examination malpractice.
8. Sellers of bad food and fake drugs, etc.
FACTORS AFFECTING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
1. Poverty: Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter. However, poverty is more, much more than just not having enough money. The World Bank Organization describes poverty in this way: “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter.
2. Poor housing: Poor housing may refer to: Affordable housing, subsidized housing for people with a low income. Condemned property, housing with restrictions placed by the local authority due to poor safety or public health. Slum, a highly populated urban residential area often associated with poverty.
3. High levels of social inequality in society: Social inequality occurs when resources in a given society are distributed unevenly, typically through norms of allocation, that engender specific patterns along lines of socially defined categories of persons.
4. Low educational attainment: poorly or insufficiently educated. unschooled, untaught, untutored. lacking in schooling. unstudied. lacking knowledge gained by study often in a particular field.
5. Poor diet: Poor eating habits include under- or over-eating, not having enough of the healthy foods we need each day, or consuming too many types of food and drink, which are low in fibre or high in fat, salt and/or sugar.
6. Low self-esteem: Self-esteem is the way we think about ourselves and the value we place on ourselves. We all criticise ourselves from time to time, but if you often think badly about yourself or judge yourself negatively, you may have low self-esteem.
7. Impulsivity: Impulsivity is the tendency to act without thinking, for example if you blurt something out, buy something you had not planned to, or run across the street without looking. To a degree, this kind of behavior is common, especially in children or teenagers, and isn’t necessarily a sign of trouble.
Other reasons may also include reasons like
- Biological factors: Some research suggests that certain genetic or physiological factors may increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.
- Psychological factors: Trauma, abuse, mental health disorders, and other psychological factors can contribute to criminal behavior.
- Social factors: Social factors such as poverty, unemployment, and a lack of education can increase the likelihood of criminal behavior.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to violence, drugs, or other negative influences in one’s environment can also contribute to criminal behavior.
- Cultural factors: Some cultural or societal factors, such as a lack of opportunities or a culture that glorifies criminal behavior, can also play a role in criminal behavior.
- Socio-economic factors: Family background, income, education, and occupation can affect criminal behaviour.
Evaluation
- Which of the following is NOT considered a factor that can affect criminal behavior? a) Biological factors b) Economic factors c) Political factors d) Psychological factors
- Research suggests that certain genetic or physiological factors may increase the likelihood of criminal behavior. This is known as: a) Social factors b) Environmental factors c) Biological factors d) Psychological factors
- What is one example of a social factor that can contribute to criminal behavior? a) High IQ b) High income c) High education level d) Poverty and unemployment
- Environmental factors that can contribute to criminal behavior include: a) Exposure to violence b) Exposure to positive role models c) Exposure to good nutrition d) Exposure to good education
- Which of the following is NOT considered a cultural factor that can contribute to criminal behavior? a) Lack of opportunities b) Glorification of criminal behavior in media and pop culture c) Strong religious beliefs d) Good governance
- Trauma, abuse, mental health disorders are examples of which type of factors affecting criminal behaviour? a) Social factors b) Environmental factors c) Psychological factors d) Cultural factors
- What is one example of a white-collar crime? a) Robbery b) Embezzlement c) Assault d) Burglary
- Which of the following is NOT considered a form of cybercrime? a) Hacking b) Phishing c) Selling goods in a physical store d) Identity theft
- Which of the following is NOT considered a type of organized crime? a) Human trafficking b) Drug trafficking c) Money Laundering d) Political corruption
- Some acts that are considered crimes in one jurisdiction may not be considered crimes in another, this is known as: a) Cultural relativism b) Social relativism c) Environmental relativism d) Legal relativism
Lesson Presentation
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by asking students what they know about criminal behavior and what factors they think may contribute to it.
- Introduce the topic of the lesson, factors affecting criminal behavior, and explain that there are many different factors that can contribute to criminal behavior.
Direct Instruction (30 minutes):
- Distribute the handouts on the different factors affecting criminal behavior (biological, psychological, social, environmental, cultural).
- Have students read through the handouts and take notes on the key points.
- After students have finished reading, lead a class discussion on the different factors and their potential impact on criminal behavior.
Guided Practice (20 minutes):
- Distribute real-world examples of criminal behavior (news articles, case studies, etc.) and have students analyze the examples in terms of the factors affecting criminal behavior.
- Have students work in small groups to discuss their analysis and present their findings to the class.
Independent Practice (10 minutes):
- Assign a writing prompt for students to reflect on how the factors affecting criminal behavior apply to a specific real-world example of criminal behavior.
Closure (10 minutes):
- Review the key points of the lesson and remind students of the importance of understanding the factors affecting criminal behavior in order to better understand and prevent criminal behavior.
Assessment:
- Participation in class discussion
- Analysis of real-world examples of criminal behavior
- Writing prompt reflection
