Theories And Rational Choice Theory

Since the terrorist attacks on 9/11, America has been on edge about the topic of terrorism. Groups like Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Taliban, and now more recently, ISIS, has kept the world cautious of their every next move. Looking more closely into how these groups are formed and operate could help us better understand how they can be stopped. Studying the history of terrorist organizations can help us better predict the future of terrorist organizations.

This paper summarizes four theories of criminology. Rational choice theory states that criminals act based on a thought process that weighs the pros and cons of criminality. Criminologists who believe in this theory feel that most criminals are people capable of having rational thoughts before committing a crime. Trait theory is the view of criminology that suggests criminality is a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits. Criminologists who believe in this theory feel that criminals choose to commit crime because of a brain anomaly or chemical imbalance. Social structure theory is “a view that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime” (Seigel 139). Those who follow this theory often believe social forces can have a great effect on whether or not a person commits a crime. An example would be those who are poor are more being more prone to commit crime. Social process theory is a view that criminality depends on how a person interacts with different organizations and institutions and processes in society. For example, a family would be considered

Terrorism is defined as an act of violence that is committed by an organization or a single person in order to be heard. Terrorist acts are usually based on a couple factors such as, historical grievances, foreign policy decision, poverty, and religion. Terrorism is not a new act amongst the world but something that has been around since the beginning. To understand a criminal you must think like a criminal, and understand why they committed a crime or a violent act, then you can prevent and conquer.

When I hear the term organized crime, I associate it with “The Mafia”, “Scarface”, and “Cartels”. Organized crime can be defined in a variety of ways. It is an ongoing criminal enterprise that is wisely working to generate profit engaging in illegal activities depending on demand, where its presence is preserve through force, intimidations, and corruption. According to the FBI, organized crime is basically a group of transnational, national, or local alliances of highly centralized enterprises run by crooks who make illicit profit or money through illegal and often violent activities (Abadinsky, 1981, p. 2).

Organized crime consists of members of a group who carry out criminal acts to gain profit and power. This action could include murder, abuse and intimidation among their members. The use of violence prevents members within a neighborhood or the group to come forward; this makes it hard to bring the organizers to justice. Organized crime groups and gangs act under some of the same structures that make it hard to distinguish if they are

The FBI defines organized crime as any group having some manner of a formalized structure and whose primary objective is to obtain money through illegal and immoral activities (fbi.gov). At one point in time only the mafia and other various crime organizations were thought to participate organized crime, but now there is a new crime organization on the rise.

The decline of the Ottoman Empire led to terrorist movements, specifically Islamic terrorism. Wanting to spread their beliefs through violence, Islamic terrorist groups began to try to overpower certain nations. It not only existed in the later history but still seems to play a big role even today. This has spread throughout the world from the horrific tragedy of the World Trade Center all the way to the multiple bombings in the London Underground. One main terrorist group that has our focus today would be ISIS whose purpose is to create an Islamic state. This is only one example of a current Islamic terrorist group. Power, religion, and beliefs are what seem to make up the goal of what these Islamic terrorist groups are trying to allow.

Terrorism has been an important part of social behavior for over 2,000 years. Between the years of 1980 and 1995, terroristic groups motivated by religious beliefs had increased by 43% (Hoffman). Religious beliefs and culture are a main reason groups and individuals resort to terrorism. Groups resort to terrorism as a consequence of seeing their culture demolished, as well as religious motives. Terrorist groups have many intentions when it comes to acts of terrorism. They main ones are they want to create fear globally, weaken the government, and obtain universal recognition for what they have done. Religiously motivated terrorist groups usually have high authority targets. These targets include government offices, banks, and national airlines. From the group’s perspective, terrorism is the only practical option. Groups are formed centered on certain factors like culture and religion. Many terrorists will receive support from their followers

The best theory that is best to clarify criminal conduct is Rational choice theory. This theory was picked specifically in light of the fact that criminal conduct is the same as noncriminal conduct. This has been looked into on account of individuals perpetrated violations, nobody constrains them to do anything that he or she wouldn't like to do yet another reason is they surmise that the reward for the wrongdoing would be more fulfilling to their requirements as opposed to having nothing and remaining out of inconvenience like noncriminal individuals. Conceded there has been a lot of research done to make sense of what drives individuals to carry out wrongdoings, keep on doing the violations and what could really make them stop perpetrate

There is no one common definition for organized crime, after extensive research criminologists seem to describe organized crime as, a criminal conspiracy of several persons motivated for economic enrichment. On the other hand, the FBI defines organized crime as, any group having some formalized structure and whose primary objective is to obtain through illegal activities.” Organized crime branches out into various criminal activities, such as cybercrime, money laundering, counterfeiting, illicit drug trafficking, and human trafficking to mention a few.

involvement in any illegal actions that is criminal. Racketeering can be displayed as having an

To start it off, terrorism is more complicated than just an act of violence. So what are these people who commit these

According to the course text, similar to Italian and Asian organized crime, terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda use sponsorships, apprenticeships, and initiation ceremonies. Also, another similarity is that like organized crime, terrorist groups have a need to launder their financial assets (Abadinsky, 2013, pg.15). Another similarity is they both reply on cell structure to accomplish their goals. In addition, while both engage in organized criminal activity to support themselves, terrorist use their funds to further political ends, which is to overthrow governments and enforce them worldwide. However, organized crime groups are not driven by an ideology. Another difference is that terrorist groups try to give their activities a

The theory of rational choice is based on the analysis of human behavior which was established by the Italian scholar Marchese Beccaria (Cesare Beccaria -1986). The theory of rational choice differs from many other criminal theories, mainly due to its main principal that defines crime as an exclusive individual choice. Using the 'Rational Choice Theory' Mass surveillance ‘supporters, in order to support their argument they note that the attacker (cybercriminal) follows a set of logical steps, in order to achieve his goal (compromise the target system and steal/modify data, disrupt services).Also the attacker is considered a rational individual that always plans an attack with the aim of gaining the maximum profit while the risk of being captured

One of the well known terrorist groups is Islamic state. They are an example of extremist Muslims. Islamic state was brought together in Syria and Iraq. Other names for them are ISIS and ISIL. Although it all started in Syria and Iraq it has become a worldwide problem. Some people believe in the same religions as ISIS and they are