Motivation of criminal behavior, like any other impulse to action of a psychophysiological nature, has common features of human behavior. Only they are supplanted by goals and needs that are criminal in their social content. Although, in the legal literature there is no consensus on the ethical essence of the motivation of criminal behavior, since all prerequisites and goals are considered socially dangerous. However, from a psychological point of view, this topic is of considerable interest, so it is worth paying attention to.
Briefly about concepts
The psychology of criminal behavior is very interesting, but to understand it, you need to understand the terms. One of the most important concepts in this topic is motive. This is a component of the personality that influences the internal formation of the stimulus of behavior.
It is not for nothing that the assertion is justified, which says that what is the motive, such is the person. This once again confirms the well-known parable about workers at a construction site. One person asked them what they were doing. One replied: "I carry this cursed stone!" Another said: "I earn my bread." And the third answered: "I am building a beautiful temple." And this is just the only example that demonstrates the difference in internal attitudes while outwardly the same behavior.
Motivation is the next important concept. This is the dynamics of motives, the process of their emergence and subsequent formation, development and change. It influences goal setting and decision making. Motivation is closely connected with it, as with the concept mentioned at the beginning. This is an attempt to rationally explain one's inner attitude. And often, especially in criminal cases, it has nothing to do with true motives.
Based on all of the above, the question arises. When do motives begin to form? Very early, in childhood. Motives are the basis of personality. They are formed, as it were, outside the person. Subsequently, they are changed, corrected, supplemented. But often the motives are constant for the individual, they permeate his whole life. Which explains the sequence of human actions in everything, even in the commission of crimes. Of course, in unforeseen or affective situations, the motive seems to arise instantly, under the influence of circumstances. But be that as it may, he already has a personal root.
Levels of motivation
Now we can move on to a thorough consideration of the topic. Psychology of criminal behavioridentifies two levels of motivation. The first is called rational, external. And the second is called deep, semantic. It is he who determines the behavior of the individual.
As an example, consider a robbery. Outwardly, it can be motivated by the desire of the individual to quickly get rich and self-interest, craving for material goods. But from the point of view of a deep level, there are other prerequisites here. By committing a robbery, a person reduces his psycho-traumatic anxiety regarding the fact that he will be in danger and need if he is not sufficiently provided.
It is important to note that the motivation of criminal behavior in criminology is difficult to distinguish by levels. Especially if we consider complex and especially serious violations of the law, which are difficult to explain. But it is in such situations that the psychological approach is very important. Often, only by understanding the meaning of complex crimes, it is possible to form investigative versions, which subsequently help to find the perpetrators.
Aspect of the Unconscious
Some examples can help to understand what constitutes the motivation for criminal behavior. The meaning and types can be better understood if you pay attention to the example.
Truly cruel and horrific crimes are those that involve savage acts carried out against children. It is really difficult to understand why some lawbreakers commit them. It is generally accepted that the prerequisites are mental disorders, often arising from problems associated withthe sexual realm. But it is not always the case. After all, there are disorders in people who adore children. They usually say about such people that they would not lay a finger on them. But why then do they do these things?
There is a reason. It often turns out that such criminals, while still children, were themselves subjected to ill-treatment. And the meaning of their violent actions is to eliminate traumatic memories from their own childhood. This is comparable to suicide carried out on a psychological level. Childhood traumas themselves "emerge" in the subconscious of a person, and usually in a state of intoxication, because only then the internal control over behavior is removed.
At the moment of committing a crime of this kind, the conscious intersects with the unconscious in a person. Two spheres that are already in a complex relationship with each other.
What is stored at the subconscious level? Not memories. They are always aware. At the subconscious level, information about a person's inclinations, his feelings and experiences is stored. In most cases, for moral reasons, they are not reflected in consciousness. And that's why some people don't go deep into themselves. They are afraid that they will have to face personal "dark fellow travelers" - those devils that belong to them. In fact, that is why most criminals do not go to repentance. Because for them, this means meeting their monsters, lurking in the depths of their souls.
Private criminals
This is a whole social category identified by a number of scientists. Which includes types of criminals,of special interest. They are worth listing.
The first type is approved. The criminals related to it commit violations for reasons that are clear from the name. They assert themselves on an individual, social or psychological level. In addition, they are elevated by the thought of owning and disposing of stolen, prestigious property.
The second type is maladaptive. It includes not particularly dangerous criminals, although they are characterized by social violations. They avoid personal contact, commitment, responsibility and affection. The basis of their behavior is personal uncertainty and psychological rejection. If they get a job, they don't stay there for long. And their source of income is theft and other property crimes.
The third type is alcoholic. It is similar to maladaptive. This type includes chronic alcoholics who commit property violations for one purpose. The formation of motivation for criminal behavior here is as simple as possible. These individuals only need funds to buy alcohol. They are degraded, they lack all sorts of values. The only sense-forming motive of their behavior is alcohol. The social circle of such persons is appropriate. It includes drinking companions who have the same interest. They are always ready to join the company in the process of obtaining funds for alcohol. Their crimes are primitive - usually they are petty theft, during which they steal what they immediately sell without eliminating traces, and spend the proceeds.
Players
These are not all existing categories. There is a fourth type, called game. In this case, there is an ambiguous motivation for criminal behavior, the concept and structure of which is of particular interest.
The fact is that game-type criminals have a constant need for risk, they crave thrills. This can be compared to addiction. Which they follow, carrying out risky operations and doing dangerous things.
Psychologists consider the behavior of such individuals polymotivated. Their "gaming" motives are in no way inferior to selfish ones. It is important for these people to receive both money and emotional experiences. However, among the violators of the law of this type, in addition to hooligans, robbers and robbers, there are also especially dangerous persons. Rapists, to be exact. They are attracted by the opportunity to get what they want by eliminating the resistance of the victim, which can cause trouble. This "environment" gives the individual what he wants - a sense of danger, the risk of being caught.
"Players" are often found among scammers. They like to show their dexterity and skills, use circumstances to their advantage, feel the need to concentrate and make instant decisions. Bright representatives in this case can be considered card cheaters who play two games at once - not fair, and according to the rules.
Talking about the types of criminals, it is worth noting that the "players" are divided into two categories. Each of which has its own motivation.
The first includes individuals who are the most realextroverts. They are impulsive, active, and even in the most dangerous situations and desperate adventures, they are alien to the fear of possible exposure. This is because these feelings are exactly what they need. They play with accomplices and the law, put their lives on the line, risk their freedom. You might think that these people are immortal - they are so desperate.
The second category includes offenders seeking to impress accomplices. They are artistic, able to instantly adapt to a suddenly changed situation, they know how to act plastically. Such individuals need sensations, but it is even more important for them to get the status of a leader.
Other types
"Family" - this is the name of another category of offenders. Individuals related to it are motivated by the family, no matter how it sounds. In most cases, they become bribe-takers and embezzlers. Least of all "family" are engaged in robbery.
Most often this is the motivation for the criminal behavior of women. They steal the property entrusted to them for the sake of their spouse, children, lovers, dear people. Theft is committed not so much to satisfy one's own selfish needs, but to provide for loved ones.
It is also necessary to note the “rejected” type, which most often includes rapists. It is very important to understand what their motivation and motives for criminal behavior are. Legal psychology believes that no one else belongs to the "rejected" type, except for rapists.
These people have serious interpersonal problems. They can be calleddefective. Often they suffer from dementia, backwardness or debility, have physical disabilities. They are despised and rejected. Due to the lack of mental development, they are not able to assimilate the moral and ethical standards designed to regulate communication between people. But the needs never go away. Therefore, they satisfy them in socially unacceptable ways, resorting to violence.
Fulfilling Enabling Needs
This is another nuance that includes the motivation of criminal behavior. One stimulating need has already been mentioned (alcohol). Now let's talk about drugs. This need, inherent in a limited number of individuals, is often the reason why serious offenses were committed.
Motivation for drug-related criminal behavior is understandable to anyone. An individual needs a "dose", for the purchase of which money is needed. Often a person does not have them, because he is constantly in a state of drug intoxication, and is not able to earn them. And who will keep the addict at work?
As a result, the drugs run out, withdrawal begins. Anxiety, increased anxiety, depression, increased aggression, muscle tension, palpitations, tremors… this is not even half of what overcomes the addict at the moment when he is left without a dose. A person loses touch with reality, ceases to control himself. In order to calm himself and his body, he is ready to do anything. Even to kill.
Serial killers
The unity of motive is what characterizes them. All serial killers without exception. It has long been proven that the basis of the behavior of such criminals is not one motive, but a whole complex. Often, it also determines the behavior of a serial killer when committing another atrocity. We are talking about the "handwriting" of the criminal, which he observes, cracking down on each victim.
Of particular interest is the formation of personality traits that determine the motivation of criminal behavior. Serial killers often seem normal. In society, they wear a "mask" that helps to hide their true nature and form a positive impression on outsiders. It is the protection created by the individual himself, which causes socially approved behavior.
Serial killers have a unique psyche. They never release the accumulated energy gradually. Serial killers splash it out in one moment, bypassing the conscious and unconscious. That is why many of them cannot remember the details of their act.
But what makes them kill? Complex issue. Traditionally, there are four factors that reflect the majority of existing motives. These are sexual aggression (passion), control, domination and manipulation.
The difficulty of specifying lies in the fact that almost all serial killers are aloof. Often they do not admit their guilt, because they have not learned social norms. They know what law they violated, but for what they were punished - the killers do not understand. Often these individuals are antisocial, maladaptive,aggressive, self-absorbed. If they are released, they will most likely relapse, since without a compensatory upbringing, the identity of the killer cannot be corrected. But the worst thing is the lack of empathy. It's hard to believe, but there are individuals who are unable to experience the emotional states of other people and feel anything. Such individuals commit particularly serious crimes. Those for which they give several life sentences.
Performing an act
Talking about what constitutes the motivation of criminal behavior, it is worth noting one more important nuance. Individuals who commit atrocities make decisions under completely different psychological conditions.
Some can be simple. A person has time to think, he is not excited and is not in a stressful state. This is most often the case for individuals who carefully plan a crime that ends up being prudent and difficult to investigate.
But there are difficult conditions. They are accompanied by strong excitement, lack of time for reflection, a conflict situation. It is under such conditions that the commission of a crime by negligence is carried out. The individual, unable to control himself, succumbs to the impulse. A lot of murders, violence and beatings took place in conflict situations heated to the limit.
So, after the decision is made, the stage of its implementation begins. Criminogenic motivation plays a really important role here, as the cause of criminal behavior. It is from her that they takeforces are malefactors who tune in to commit an offense, the result of which is the achievement of the originally set goal.
Motives are most clearly manifested precisely at an early stage - at the time of preparation by the person of the atrocity. A person asks himself questions and gives answers, convincing himself of the correctness of his plan and determining further actions: “What am I doing? For what purpose? What do I want to achieve? Of course, the motives may change, due to rethinking. It happens that people completely refuse the idea of committing an offense. In such situations, criminogenic motivation, as the cause of criminal behavior, turns out to be too weak. Fortunately, of course. This once again confirms that a person's behavior is determined only by his personality, and not by the current situation. Despite the fact that the reason for the crime is often external circumstances. The situation is just an indicator that demonstrates the personal threshold of a person's social adaptation.
Mental problems
Motivation for criminal behavior is often driven by anxiety. But this does not mean the usual discomfort with excitement, which in some situations is characteristic of every person. It is about the anxiety underlying criminal behavior.
Not everyone knows that it is this feeling that most strongly affects the physical and spiritual state of a person. Anxiety personifies a pointless fear, which is based on sources of threat, often unconscious even by the individual himself. They often feel helpless and powerless, unsure of themselves,defenseless. Their behavior is disorganized, its direction changes. In some situations, it is anxiety that stimulates the desire to commit a crime for the sake of one's own safety. At such moments, a person begins to experience discomfort and perceive everything around him as a threat.
There is a motivation for criminal behavior. And its mechanism is very specific. Anxiety occupies a leading place in the emotional gradation of a person. It begins to determine his perception of everything that happens around, gives events and people a hostile, alien, negative character. As a result, a person gets out of social control, as his behavior becomes maladaptive. The unconscious aspect comes to the fore - aggressive and hostile aspirations are formed, as if by themselves. Everything leads to the fact that a person begins to feel the fragility and ghostly of his being, to experience the fear of death. Psychologists explain it this way - an individual commits a crime in order to preserve his own being, self-worth, and ideas about his place in this world and directly about himself.
Finally
You can still tell a lot about criminal motivation and other features of a psychological nature related to this topic. It is really very interesting and extensive. It is not for nothing that even such serious scientific works as a doctoral dissertation are written on this topic.
But even based on the above, one can understand how important the psychological aspect in the fieldcriminalistics. Especially when it comes to serious crimes. Small, "disposable", rarely represent some kind of complexity, since the reasons for their commission lie on the surface. Often this is just a strong emotional excitement and the inability of a person to restrain himself, suppress his impulses and resist desires. The most difficult cases are those in which the individual satisfies his own interests and needs to the detriment of someone else's or the public. Unfortunately, they are not rare. And it's scary. After all, we live in the same society, but even sometimes we have no idea who exactly surrounds us.
