Psychological and Biological approaches to crime and deviance free essay sample

?Comparing Biological and Psychological Approaches to Crime I was interested in assessing two different approaches to the important issue of crime in society. The articles I chose seek to find different causes to crime via psychological and biological approaches respectively. In this essay I will summarise and analyse both articles and explain how they can be useful in the prevention of crime. For my first journal article I looked at ‘A Psychological Approach to Deterrence: The Evaluation of Crime Opportunities’ By John S. Carroll (1978). This article involves a study which aims to describe how crime could be a result of psychological means, including a ‘New Approach to Deterrence’ (p1513). The article explains how by the use of experimental psychology we can arrive at a rational explanation to how crime comes about. In the study Carroll asked participants to look over a number of crime opportunities with 4 key dimensions. These were (a) the probability of a successful crime, (b) the amount of money to be obtained if successful, (c) the probability of capture, and (d) the penalty if caught (p1513). We will write a custom essay sample on Psychological and Biological approaches to crime and deviance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The study aimed to see which of these factors people placed the most emphasis on and to see how people combined the four to produce what they thought was the most advantageous criminal outcome for them by combining risk and reward. Carroll notes that the study ‘should not be considered a model of criminal behaviour’ but an attempt to show that the evaluation of potential criminal acts is greatly simplified in humans (p1514). The results showed that in adults, the amount of money involved is what most people prioritised and was significant in 83. 4% of subjects (p1516). In juveniles however, the results showed that they prioritised probability; the probability of a successful crime and the probability of capture. Carroll concluded that the decision to commit a crime is based upon the opportunities presented by a given situation. This article provides an innovative and not widely recognised theory about the rationality and reasoning for committing a crime. It is a valuable addition to the issue of deterrence in society and gives its view from a different vantage point (p1520). The results of the study can give insight to criminologists and psychologist in the way that it builds upon a classic argument with more modern results, however in addition to this there are some major flaws and disadvantages to the article. One of the main disadvantages linked to the sample used is that it was not universally representative. The participants used were all from the same region and were only chosen from 4 institutions. This means the results may not be valid. Also the study was entirely quantitative, leaving no room for participants to express their views in their own words. This could result in results being invalid because participants may have not been able to say exactly what they wanted to. (Neuman W. (1991) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches; p344). However an advantage of using quantitative data is that the results can be controlled and do not need interpreting, meaning the study has a level of reliability (Neuman W. (1991) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches; p13 Table 1. 2). My second article I used was ‘Reflections on Wye Woods: Crime, Biology, and Self-Interest’ by Evan Balaban. In summary this article aimed to explain that biological and genetic factors should be taken into consideration when trying to find potential offenders, and that this information can help prevent crime by finding potential offenders and stopping them before they actually commit a crime. Balaban goes on to explain that if this approach is wrongly undertaken it can have serious consequences with respect to the labelling and stigmatization of people before they have even committed a crime. (p86) Balaban discusses the humanitarian approach to the the biology of crime and violence and the idea that biology has ‘something to contribute to public policy on violence and crime’ (p86). He explains how biology can be explained as either utterly meaningless or as a highly advantageous predictor of future happenings resulting in the benefit of society. He goes on to argue that if we completely discredit biology with respect to crime we are leaving a vast gap in the knowledge about the criminal and the prevention of future crime. After reading and analysing the article I came across a few flaws in Balaban’s argument. He understandably stresses the importance of biological issues relating to crime as it is an important concept in which I believe should be heavily taken into account when attempting to predict future offenders and to prevent it; however he doesn’t touch on any environmental issues relating to the ‘nurture’ side of the nature-nurture debate. He fails to consider that theories such as Social Learning Theory (A. Bandura) also play a major role in the prediction and prevention of crime. Social Learning Theory explains crime through the imitation of role-models, and it is these role models who influence the behaviour of younger people, be it aggressive or criminal, which could eventually result in a crime being committed. (Harasim, Linda M (Linda Marie), 1949: Learning Theory and Online Technologies: p10-11). This behaviourist approach in conjunction with the more scientific approach proposed by Balaban is what many people consider to be the most advantageous way of predicting and preventing crime and deviance. After summarising and critically assessing both articles I feel that they both significantly contribute to the areas of sociology of crime and deviance which I find most interesting and influential. Despite their flaws I still believe that they give good insight into the psychological and biological issues discussed. Overall I believe that John S. Carroll’s article on the psychological approach to crime and deviance provides a deeper insight and understanding of the issues presented and it is superior to Balaban’s article in the way that it provides an innovative way into the understanding of the psychology of crime which is not always considered or used. Word count: 997

End of the Vietnam War - Fall of Saigon

End of the Vietnam War - Fall of Saigon Previous Page | Vietnam War 101 Working for Peace With the failure of the 1972 Easter Offensive, North Vietnamese leader Le Duc Tho became concerned that his nation could become isolated if President Richard Nixons policy of dà ©tente softened relations between the United States and his allies, the Soviet Union and China.  As such he relaxed the Norths position in the ongoing peace negotiations and stated that the South Vietnamese government could remain in power as the two sides sought a permanent solution.  Responding to this change,  Nixon’s National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger, commenced secret talks with Tho in October.  Ã‚   After ten days, these proved successful and a draft peace document was produced.  Angered at having been excluded from the talks, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu demanded major alterations to the document and spoke out against the proposed peace.  In response, the North Vietnamese published the details of the agreement and stalled the negotiations. Feeling that Hanoi had attempted to embarrass him and to force them back the table, Nixon ordered the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong in late December 1972 (Operation Linebacker II). On January 15, 1973, after pressuring South Vietnam to accept the peace deal, Nixon announced the end of offensive operations against North Vietnam. Paris Peace Accords The Paris Peace Accords ending the conflict were signed January 27, 1973, and were followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops. The terms of the accords called for a complete ceasefire in South Vietnam, allowed North Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, released US prisoners of war, and called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict. To achieve a lasting peace, the Saigon government and Vietcong were work towards a lasting settlement that would result in free and democratic elections in South Vietnam.  As an enticement to Thieu, Nixon offered US airpower to enforce the peace terms. Standing Alone, South Vietnam Falls With US forces gone from the country, South Vietnam stood alone. Though the Paris Peace Accords were in place, fighting continued and in January 1974 Thieu publicly stated that the agreement was no longer in effect. The situation worsened the following year with the fall of Richard Nixon due to Watergate and passage of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974 by Congress which cut off all military aid to Saigon. This act removed the threat of air strikes should North Vietnam break the terms of the accords. Shortly after the act’s passage, North Vietnam began a limited offensive in Phuoc Long Province to test Saigon’s resolve. The province fell quickly and Hanoi pressed the attack. Surprised by the ease of their advance, against largely incompetent ARVN forces, the North Vietnamese stormed through the south, and threatened Saigon.  With the enemy nearing, President Gerald Ford ordered the evacuation of American personnel and embassy staff.  In addition, efforts were made to remove as many friendly South Vietnamese refugees as possible.  These missions were accomplished through Operations Babylift, New Life, and Frequent Wind in the weeks and days before the city fell.  Advancing quickly, North Vietnamese troops finally captured Saigon on April 30, 1975. South Vietnam surrendered the same day. After thirty years of conflict, Ho Chi Minh’s vision of a united, communist Vietnam had been realized. Casualties of the Vietnam War During the Vietnam War, the United States suffered 58,119 killed, 153,303 wounded, and 1,948 missing in action. Casualty figures for the Republic of Vietnam are estimated at 230,000 killed and 1,169,763 wounded. Combined the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong suffered approximately 1,100,000 killed in action and an unknown number of wounded. It is estimated that between 2 to 4 million Vietnamese civilians were killed during the conflict. Previous Page | Vietnam War 101

Principles of Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Principles of Finance - Essay Example According to the paper the total cost of a project consists of cost of capital, assets, labor expenses, intermediate resources, staff salaries and production expenses among others. Costs can be in different forms, such as real, nominal, primary, secondary, associated expenses and project expenses among others. Hence, while appraising the equipment and facilities manufactured by Danforth Limited and Donnalley Limited, one would have to compute as well as compare the costs involved in both of them. The product of the company that involves relatively less expenses should be chosen over the other.  This discussion stresses that if the scenario is such that the rejection of Dynamo project by Radiant Laundry would lead to the introduction of an identical product by a direct rival, then Radiant Laundry should take a decision on it on the basis of a time period more than 10 years. This is because this project is not viable when considered for a period of around 10 years. Moreover, another imperative point to be considered by Radiant Laundry is the redundant effect the rival’s product would have on its sales figure. If the introduction of a similar product by a direct rival dose not hampers the sales of Radiant to a large extent, then the company should avoid taking up the Dynamo project.  The following segment of the paper focuses on the sensitivity analysis of the project’s NPV on to annual net cash flows and cost of capital individually.... Additionally it has been ascertained that the estimated salvage value of the facility after 10 years would be equivalent to $80,000, which is much higher than that of Dansforth Limited’s equipment. Furthermore, the economic life of Danforth Limited’s equipment facility is only 5 years while that of Donnalley Limited is 10 years. This implies that during the 10 years time frame, the total cost involved with the purchase of equipment from Danforth Limited would be doubled. Consequently, the total costs over the project life of 10 years for Danforth Limited would be more than that of Donnalley Limited by $2 million. Hence it would be advisable for Radiant Laundry Products Company to purchase the specialised equipment and packaging facilities from Donnalley Limited. Analysis of Cash Flow Capital budgeting choices are supposed to be based on cash flows, instead of accounting profits. Additionally it is the incremental cash flows that are applicable (Broyles, 2003; Polimeni & Et. Al., 1994). Thus, we would compute the additional cash flow that Radiant Limited expects to generate if it implements the Dynamo project. The components for the computation of cash flow for the Dynamo Project are as follows: Investment for test marketing = $1,500,000 Cost of Equipment= $2,000,000 Total Initial Investment = $3,500,000, Cost of funds: 15% Salvage value = $80,000 Economic life= 10 Depreciation per year (at the rate of 30% on the reducing balance basis) Year Rate Value of Equipment Depreciation 1 30% 2000000 600000 2 1400000 420000 3 980000 294000 4 686000 205800 5 480200 144060 6 336140 100842 7 235298 70589.4 8 164708.6 49412.6 9 115296.0 34588.8 10 80707.2 24212.2