Rational Choice vs. Trait Theory Essay

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Rational Choice Theory VS. Trait Theory

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Criminology : Park University Online Program

In this essay I will be comparing and contrasting the Rational Choice Theory(s) and the Trait Theory(s). We will start with the history of the two theories and progress toward some of the individual principles in the theories. Next step will be explaining how each theory contributes to criminal behavior. My closing paragraph will conclude the essay as well as give detailed information on how society punishes the crimes committed.

I. Compare and Contrast Rational Choice and Trait Theories. A. Rational Choice Theory defined and history noted. …show more content…
One example of the influence of chemicals and miners is in Larry J. Siegel’s book Criminology: The Core 4th Edition (p. 110) “People who start drinking by the age of 14 are five times as likely to become alcoholics as people who hold off on drinking until the age of 21.” Alcoholism is also another factor linked to criminal behavior. The psychological branch focuses on the aspects of crime associated with intelligence, personality, learning and criminal behavior. Psychologists have been working to treat many different kinds of mental health conditions. In the process of doing this they have found patients who behavior falls in the categories that our society has labeled as antisocial, criminal, violent and deviant. Sigmund Freud developed what’s known as the Psychodynamic Perspective. Mr. Freud states that our most traumatizing emotional attachments of our childhood stay with us in life and guides our future relationships. The psychodynamic perspective is based of the idea that our personalities are made up of three parts. The ID, ego, and the super ego. The Id is the primitive portion of our mind that is present when we’re born and represents drives for food, sex, and other life sustaining necessities. The ego is the part of our personality that keep us in our safe box. It filters the commands given by the id by helping the individual keep his/her actions within certain boundaries. The superego which is personally my favorite is that developed from what
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