Cumulative Risk Model in Criminology: Analyzing Juvenile Delinquency
Introduction
In criminology, it is essential to determine why a criminal commits a crime, who is more susceptible to criminal behavior, and how to prevent crime. Examining a situation featuring Lisa, a 13-year-old girl with a history of property offenses and gang affiliation, this criminology article uses the cumulative risk model to uncover the probable reasons for criminal conduct. This study will evaluate the effect of IQ and age in predicting criminal behavior and treatments that may have avoided or decreased Lisa’s chance of engaging in illegal activity. The treatments reflect Lisa’s age’s effect on her future criminal conduct and emphasize the need for psychiatric intervention in criminology. Critical forensic psychologists use clinical psychology to comprehend people’s behavior.
Lisa’s Case Summary
Lisa is accused of enticing guys into a park where a group assaulted them. She was physically attacked as a youngster and made friends with gang members who encouraged her to commit property crimes. She sustained injuries during a gang brawl, but no charges were filed against her.
Lisa was first enrolled in honors courses and tested with an IQ of 120. Her personality exhibited aggression and authority difficulties. She attended three anger management sessions before leaving. To analyze the case study, the intervention would strive to collect more information, such as Lisa’s educational background, social support network, and drug misuse history.
Necessary Additional Questions
The session interactions would inquire about her academic achievement and classroom conduct to better comprehend Lisa’s educational background. These would include questions about learning problems or cognitive limitations in addition to her preferred learning method (Walters, 2020). The assessments would enquire about any conflicts she had with authority figures or other pupils, as well as her peer connections (Cresswell et al., 2022).
In addition, the interrogation would attempt to comprehend her creative outlets and hobbies, as well as her gender and sexuality. To determine the effect of Lisa’s surroundings on her behavior, the interview would inquire about her excellent and negative social support system, including any family members, friends, or acquaintances who may have impacted her actions (Walters, 2020). Further, the inquiries would seek to explore any drug misuse or psychotic episodes and her access to essentials such as food, shelter, water, and medical treatment. Finally, the interaction would seek to investigate her social media use and browser tab accessibility, as well as any instances of post-traumatic stress disorder or flashbacks.
Other Types of Information Sought
In addition to the information previously obtained, subpoenaing a criminal checklist facility to get information on the perpetrator’s purpose, methods of operation, ideology, and opportunity to commit the crime would be conducted in this instance. This would include determining who the individual is, what they do, and how often they have done similar acts in the past (Walters, 2020).
Access to information such as jail records, drug-use records, and hair samples would be requested to fully understand the perpetrator’s background. A criminal history check for all fifty states and Interpol fingerprint data would also be required to determine the perpetrator’s schooling and criminal past (Walters, 2020). Similarly, access to the perpetrator’s medical records, laboratory tests, mental health testing, military records, phone messages, security clearances, and religious affiliation would offer a comprehensive picture of his past and intentions.
The Role of Lisa’s Intelligence Quotient
Many psychological theories claim that Lisa’s IQ of 120 may have influenced her conduct. In this instance, Conflict Theory, which stresses the importance of power and societal inequity in determining individual behavior, may explain Lisa’s actions (Billen et al., 2019). Those who lack authority or are disadvantaged by society may be more prone to engage in deviant conduct to challenge the prevailing social order (Cresswell et al., 2022). Lisa’s past physical abuse and challenging family history may have left her feeling helpless and isolated, prompting her to seek alternate forms of authority via her affiliation with a criminal gang. Other psychological elements, such as power dynamics and social labeling, may have also been crucial in determining her behavior.
Impact of Lisa’s Age
Lisa’s 13-year-old age is a significant aspect that may have influenced her future criminal conduct. According to psychological theories such as the labeling theory, adolescence is a phase of vulnerability during which people may be more sensitive to the labeling process, which may have long-lasting behavioral impacts (Walters, 2020). Lisa’s affiliation with a criminal gang and history of property crimes may have prompted others to identify her as a deviant. This label may have reinforced her perception of being an outsider or outcast (Billen et al., 2019). Consequently, Lisa may have participated in another abnormal activity to belong to a social group.
In addition, Lisa’s thirteenth year may have been a crucial time for her cognitive and psychological growth. According to the social strain typology and the conflict theory, persons who feel social strain or conflict are more prone to participate in criminal activity (Cresswell et al., 2022). Lisa’s background of physical abuse and affiliation with a criminal gang may have exposed her to high levels of social stress and conflict (Billen et al., 2019). This negative influence may have increased Lisa’s likelihood of criminal activity since she may not have acquired the cognitive and social skills necessary to adapt to her surroundings.
Development Risk Factors in Lisa’s Case
In addition to the social strain typology, Lisa’s early childhood background of violence may also be regarded as a significant developmental risk factor. According to research, children who suffer violence or abuse are more likely to have behavioral and emotional issues later in life (Cresswell et al., 2022). Lisa’s older brother and father’s physical abuse may have affected her psychological development, leading to challenges with anger management, authoritative figures, and impulse control. This may have led to her association with a criminal group and her readiness to commit property crimes and acts of violence (Billen et al., 2019). Thus, it is essential to analyze the influence of Lisa’s early experiences on her conduct and probable future criminal involvement.
Necessary Intervention
Lisa’s illegal conduct may have been prevented or reduced by several actions. Early diagnosis and intervention for childhood trauma, such as the physical abuse she endured at the hands of her elder brother and father, is one such intervention. Early intervention might have addressed the abuse’s emotional and psychological effects, decreasing Lisa’s chance of seeking social support from criminal groups (Walters, 2020). Equally, the therapy and anger management programs might have assisted Lisa in developing healthier coping methods (Cresswell et al., 2022). Lastly, more access to educational opportunities and assistance would have given Lisa alternate routes for accomplishing her objectives, decreasing the possibility of developing criminal behavior.
Conclusion
Using the Cumulative Risk Model has thoroughly explained Lisa’s situation and the likely reasons for her criminal conduct. The evaluation of Lisa’s intelligence quotient, age, family history, and social environment has underlined the need for early intervention and assistance in preventing or reducing the possibility of future criminal conduct. The additional questions and kinds of information requested have offered a better understanding of Lisa’s situation. In contrast, her age has highlighted the need for individualized therapies considering developmental risk factors. The potential efficacy of psychiatric intervention in criminology has been recognized, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to tackling criminal behavior.
References
Billen, E., Garofalo, C., Vermunt, J. K., & Bogaerts, S. (2019). Trajectories of self-control in a forensic psychiatric sample: Stability and association with psychopathology, criminal history, and recidivism. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 46(9), 1255-1275. Web.
Cresswell, L., Faltyn, M., Lawrence, C., Tsai, Z., Owais, S., Savoy, C., & Van Lieshout, R. J. (2022). Cognitive and mental health of young mothers’ offspring: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 150(5). 12-64. Web.
Walters, G. D. (2020). Hostility and reactive criminal thinking as mediators of the violent victimization–violent offending relationship: Affect before cognition? Criminal Justice Studies, 33(4), 316-336. Web.