Summary
Morale is a term used to describe the psychological state of a person or group with regard to their productivity and motivation. Morale can be defined as the emotional climate within a team or organization. Some experts argue that there is a correlation between high crime levels and low morale. This theory suggests that when people are feeling down and ostracized, they are more likely to turn to criminal activity as a way to cope. Crime activities generally refer to any illegal or harmful behavior an individual or group commits. Examples of criminal activities can include but are not limited to murder, rape, and robbery.
Low morale increases the crime rate due to different reasons; first, it makes people stressed and depressed. Due to such tough conditions, somebody may be overwhelmed by emotions, thus acting out of anger which can lead to death or committing a crime. Low morale also triggers isolation and disconnection among the people. When individuals do not associate with a specific group, they find committing a crime is easy since no one follows them. Low morale makes people feel despairing and hopeless; this means that the people will be acting carelessly, thus leading to increased crime rates. They do this with the consolation that they have nothing to lose. Low morale increases criminal activities in society, and therefore the government should work in various ways, such as social approaches and criminal policy making, to reduce crime rates.
Low Morales Increasing Crime Activities
Low morale increases stress levels, which can lead to more impulsive and aggressive behavior. It is well-established that stress can lead to a number of negative health outcomes, including mental health problems and physical illness. Research has also shown that stress can contribute to crime (Lawrence et al., 2019). There are a number of reasons why chronic stress may increase crime rates. First, chronic stress can lead to changes in the brain that make people more impulsive and more likely to act on their impulses (Lawrence et al., 2019). Additionally, chronic stress can make people more aggressive and hostile, increasing the likelihood that they will engage in violent behavior. Finally, chronic stress can negatively impact cognitive functioning and decision-making because they may have nothing to lose. Some of these criminals prefer being in jail due to the fact that they are frustrated with life. Based on this reason, they can go to the extent of raping or killing for them to be locked in jail, where they will be sure of getting their basic needs.
Low morale makes people feel disconnected and isolated, which can lead to greater involvement in criminal activity to find community and connection. When people feel disconnected and isolated from their community, they can become more likely to commit crimes. This is because of the negative impact that low morale can have on a person’s mental state (Capellan et al., 2020). When individuals are feeling down, they may be more likely to act out in anger or frustration, which can lead to criminal behavior. Additionally, when morale is low in a community, it can be harder for people to trust one another and cooperate with one another. Thus leading to an atmosphere in which crime is more prevalent (McDonald, 2019). Finally, when morale is low, people may be less likely to report crimes or take action to prevent them from happening. This can create an environment in which criminals feel free to act with impunity.
Low morale makes people feel hopeless and despairing, which can lead them to turn to crime as a way of escaping their current circumstances. One of the most important factors contributing to crime is feeling hopelessness and despair in the community (Capellan et al., 2020). When people feel like they have no hope for the future, they are more likely to turn to crime as a way to make ends meet. Many different factors, including high levels of unemployment, poverty, and inequality can cause low morale. It can also be exacerbated by a sense of social isolation and a lack of support from the community. Crime rates are highest in areas where there is a high level of social disadvantage and deprivation (Walline et al., 2019). This is because people who live in these areas often feel like they have no other choice but to resort to crime in order to get their wants and needs met. Community organizations and groups can play an important by solving the causes of this hopelessness.
There are a number of ways that the government can reduce crime rates by improving morale. For example, the government could create more opportunities for education and training, which would help people to find better jobs and feel more invested in their communities (McDonald, 2019). It can also provide more social services and targeted assistance to economically disadvantaged areas, which would help to reduce feelings of economic insecurity and discontentment. Additionally, the government can work to reduce corruption and abuse of power within law enforcement and other institutions, which would improve public trust and confidence in those institutions (Capellan et al., 2020). Ultimately, reducing crime rates is about more than just increasing punitive measures or enacting stricter laws; it also requires looking at the root causes of crime and addressing them accordingly.
People are likely to take risks due to low morale since they feel like they have nothing to lose, which can lead to increased criminal activity. There is a clear correlation between low morale and increased crime rates in a community. When people are unhappy or feel like they have no hope, they are more likely to take risks and engage in criminal behavior (Deuchar et al., 2019). This is often because they feel like they have nothing to lose and see crime as their only way out of a difficult situation. Low morale can also lead to feelings of despair and isolation, which can further contribute to an increase in crime rates (Deuchar et al., 2019). It is important to remember that crime affects everyone in a community, not just the people who engage in it. Therefore, it is crucial to do what community members can to improve morale and create a sense of community involvement and support.
Similarly, low morale can simply lead to less self-control among the people. Lower morale in a community can lead to an increase in crime, as people may be less likely to obey laws or norms when they feel down. This reduced self-control can be due to feeling unhappy or dissatisfied with one’s life or due to feeling that one’s needs are not being met (Walline et al., 2019). When people do not feel good about themselves or their situation, they may be more likely to engage in criminal behavior as a way of trying to improve their lot. Due to the fact that low morale increases crime in diverse ways, the government focuses on criminal lawmaking and social approaches to reduce the crime reasons.
My Opinion from the Reading
According to the article “Analysis of effective criminal policymaking in the face of common crimes in military settings”, social approaches that help to reduce crime are internal cohesion, morale and joy. This makes sense, as happy and cohesive teams are more likely to be effective in any field (Tashakori Poor et al., 2021). Additionally, these positive emotions tend to reduce stress and anxiety, which can lead to better decision-making and workplace performance. Ultimately, creating a positive work environment is key to reducing crime rates. When people feel like they belong to a group and are part of something larger than themselves, they are more likely to act in accordance with the group’s values. When people have strong morale and feel good about their work, they are less likely to commit crimes (Tashakori Poor et al., 2021). When employees are happy and enjoy their work, it reduces the chances that they will commit crimes outside of work.
I agree with the fact the role of crime is to cause social disorder, thus making the government focus more on criminal policymaking. In my view, some of the social disorders caused by crime include distrust of authority, diminished sense of community, and increased anxiety and fear. Distrust of authority may manifest itself in a desire to avoid or “drop out” of formal institutions like school or employment. A diminished sense of community may lead to an increased sense of isolation and alienation (Lawrence et al., 2019). Finally, increased anxiety and fear caused by crime may lead to further social disorders like insomnia, hypervigilance, and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
I disagree with the fact that crime prevention is not at the heart of criminal policymaking. I believe, for one, crime prevention is a difficult endeavor. It is much easier to simply respond to crime after it has already taken place than it is to try and prevent it from happening in the first place. Additionally, policymakers often have other priorities that take precedence over crime prevention, such as reducing spending or increasing efficiency within the criminal justice system (Deuchar et al., 2019). Finally, there is limited empirical evidence indicating that crime prevention actually works or at least that it works better than other strategies currently used by policymakers. My most important question that is not answered in my topic is between the social approaches and criminal policymaking, which is the most powerful way of preventing crime in the community.
In conclusion, when people feel good about themselves and their community, they are less likely to commit crimes. This is because they have a sense of belonging and feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Conversely, when morale is low, for example, due to poverty or social injustice, people may turn to crime as a way to improve their lot in life. It is true that apart from criminal lawmaking, there are other social approaches, such as joy, social integration, and morale, that can as well reduce crime rates. Crime prevention is not at the heart of criminal policymaking because, sometimes, it fails to effectively address the causes of crime.
References
Capellan, J. A., Lautenschlager, R., & Silva, J. R. (2020). Deconstructing the Ferguson effect: A multilevel mediation analysis of public scrutiny, de-policing, and crime. Journal of Crime and Justice, 43(2), 125-144. Web.
Deuchar, R., Fallik, S. W., & Crichlow, V. J. (2019). Despondent officer narratives and the ‘post-Ferguson’ effect: Exploring law enforcement perspectives and strategies in a southern American state. Policing and Society, 29(9), 1042-1057. Web.
Lawrence, D., La Vigne, N. G., Jannetta, J., Fontaine, J., & Center, J. P. (2019). Impact of the national initiative for building community trust and justice on police administrative outcomes. Urban Institute Justice Policy Center.
McDonald, L. (2019). The sociology of law and order. Routledge.
Tashakori Poor, A., Yousefvand, Y., & Esfandiar, V. O. (2021). Analysis of effective criminal policymaking in the face of common crimes in military settings. Military Management Quarterly, 20(80), 65-88. Web.
Walline, J. H., Song, P. P., Xu, J., Goggins, W. B., & Graham, C. A. (2019). Violence against emergency medicine personnel in China: Results from a prospective national cross-sectional survey. The Lancet, 394, S78. Web.