Application of Positivist Theory in Criminology

Application of Positivist Theory in Criminology Positivist Theory and its Implications on the James Holmes Case Over the years, various theoretical frameworks have been proposed to explain the nature and causation of crimes. This includes the collective positivist theory, particularly the biological and psychological trait theories as explanations on why individuals commit certain crimes. The positivist tradition in criminology suggests that psychological, biological, and even social forces determine a person’s criminal behavior, hence noting that the criminal act is beyond the control of the person. To examine this theory and its implications to crime, one may analyze the case of James Holmes, the suspect of mass shooting at the Century movie house in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people on July 20, 2012. Investigations revealed that the alleged perpetrator had history of mental consultations, which strongly affirmed issues with his mental well-being. Considering that Holmes exhibited substantial signs and symptoms indicative of mental illness, prompt diagnosis and treatment might have prevented the fatal Aurora shooting; true to the goals of a positivist psychology, it is also best to manage Holmes through a treatment in a mental health facility, rather than a criminal punishment. Before examining how a psychological diagnosis and treatment might have prevented Holmes’ criminal act, it would be imperative to briefly discuss a specific sub-theory of the positivist psychology: the trait theory. The trait theory is an umbrella term that encompasses a combination of various biological, psychological, and social factors that predispose an individual to develop and exhibit criminal behavior (van Gelder de Vries, 2012). These factors can be present at birth and may continually influence a person’s social functioning over his or her life course. Biologically, criminal behaviors may be attributed to factors such as genetics, hormones, metabolism, and neuro-physiological conditions. The trait theory also turns to the psychodynamics of a person to determine underlying mood disorders, personality traits, and cognitive patterns that result to criminal behavior. The theory likewise integrates social factors including social learning and environmental constrai nts as potential causes of criminal behavior or delinquency. As will be explained in the succeeding parts of this essay, Holmes had mental health issues that feature a combination of these factors. There are several indicators and clinical pathways that would have prevented Holmes from committing the mass shooting in Aurora, beginning with his prior psychological assessments. Reports note that the accused gunman had appointments with three mental health practitioners before the violent rampage. These experts include Dr. Lynne Fenton, the head psychiatrist of the mental health services of University of Colorado (Denver) (BBC, 2013). Dr. Fenton sent a report to the university’s threat assessment team regarding Holmes’ risk for homicidal behavior, but final diagnosis and follow-up evaluations were not carried out (Rosenberg, 2014). There were also other indicators of the gunman’s psychological disturbance, including a â€Å"bizarre guttural, freakish† personal voicemail message (BBC, 2013). While the results of Holmes’ post-arrest mental health assessment remain confidential, psychologists believe that the gunman might be suffering from schizoph renia and psychopathy (Solty, 2012). These conditions could explain Holmes’ impaired ideation or sense of reality as well as his propensity to commit violence. Nonetheless, issues about his mental well-being were not promptly diagnosed and treated. Psychotherapy would have â€Å"contained† and managed his hallucinations and impaired thought processes, hence the prevention of the fatal shooting. As noted earlier, the trait theory also includes biological factors that combine with psychological factors that, when promptly addressed, could have prevented Holmes from attacking and killing civilians. Similar to his psychological assessment, published evidences of a neurobiological trauma or head injury were absent. However, one may add the possibility of brain trauma or brain tumor as an underlying or aggravating factors for his mental health issue. The planning and execution of mass killing itself attest to the gunman’s lack of empathy and reasonable judgment. These traits are characteristic of damage in the orbitofrontal cortex part of the brain (Burke, 2014). In other words, brain imaging studies such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning can help validate or rule out the aforementioned conditions. The quantification and measurement offered by these diagnostic tests are central to the positivist psychology. In any case, it would ha ve added to an effective clinical management to prevent Holmes from exhibiting violence. Moreover, the trait theory also provides an explanation for the social dimensions that might have influenced Holmes’ criminal behavior. One may begin by looking at the following analysis of Solty (2012): It is clear that Holmes seems to have felt himself to be in a hopeless situation. And as a man he didn’t have the increasingly popular option of female students in North America of becoming an entrepreneur of one’s own youthful†¦ [and] in his obvious desperation Holmes anticipated his suspension [from the University of Colorado]. He prepared and pursued his own de-matriculation. In his state, he must have realized that he would probably no longer be a top performer. (p.10) The above description highlights that there are constraining social factors that might have led to Holmes’ frustrations. Media reports note that Holmes never had a romantic relationship prior to the shooting incident; he was also rejected by the women whom he contacted at a casual dating website (BBC, 2013). A consistent achiever, Holmes might have been affected by a decline in his academic performance, which led to his plan to withdraw from the university. Thus, feelings of social rejection also add another angle to Holmes’ criminal behavior. Experts also found a link between Holmes’ fondness for video games, relative to the popular vigilante figure- Batman, and aggression. Simply put, the gunman’s violent tendencies might also be reinforced through social learning. Considerations for these social factors could have also solidified any psychiatric diagnosis and determine appropriate clinical interventions to address Holmes’ mental health issues. Convinced that Holmes’ criminal behavior was a result of biological and psychosocial factors beyond his control, it is reasonable to insist that the appropriate intervention would be confinement and treatment to a mental health facility. This view also conforms to the core tradition of criminological positivism in that it places emphasis on therapy or rehabilitation, rather than punishment exemplified by incarceration or death penalty. It must be re-emphasized that Holmes was and continues to have substantial psychological issues that impair his judgment and sense of reality. While in jail, he even committed suicide attempts (BBC, 2013). Without psychotherapy and other treatment modalities to manage his mental health condition, containing and incarcerating Holmes would only be futile. In particular, studies note that the rate of recidivism among mentally-ill inmates could be as high as 80% because they receive lack or insufficient psychiatric treatments inside the prison (Burk e, 2014). The ability of the trait theory to sufficiently explain the host of factors for Holmes’ criminal behavior only indicates that the final resolution to this case would be an intervention that follows a positivist approach. Overall, Holmes provides a case in point as to how various factors may work to develop a criminal mind among people who are susceptible to violence. This gunman shows that personality traits and the elements of these traits could eventually reach its maximum tolerance, depriving a person of any remaining rationality and sense of reality. Psychological and criminological positivism suggests that such criminal behavior could have been prevented or managed through prompt diagnosis and treatment. Now that damage was already done, the only way forward is to treat and rehabilitate the psychologically unstable gunman. References BBC. (2013, April 1). Profile: Aurora cinema shooting suspect James Holmes. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-18937513 Burke, R. H. (2014). An introduction to criminological theory (4th ed.). New York: Routledge. Rosenberg, J. (2014). Mass shootings and mental health policy. Journal of Sociology Social Welfare, 41(1), 107-121. Solty, I. (2012). Dear Left: The NRA is right – The mass shooter as high-achiever: Historical-materialist considerations on the resistible fall of James Holmes and the pathologization and culturalization of the cinema massacre in Aurora, Colorado. Socialism Democracy, 26(3), 1-13. Retrieved from 10.1080/08854300.2012.722372 van Gelder, J.-L., de Vries, R. E. (2012). Traits and states: Integrating personality and affect into a model of criminal decision making* traits and states. Criminology, 50(3), 637-671. doi:10.1111/j.1745-9125.2012.00276.x

Female Reproductive System of Pheretima Posthuma

Female reproductive system of earthworm- It consists of following parts: 1. Ovary 2. Oviducal funnel 3. Oviducts 4. Female genital aperture 5. Spermathaceae 1. Ovary- They are the white lobed structures which are present in the intersegment of 12/13. They consist of ova secreting cells. The ova are usually generated by the process of oogenesis. They are generally arranged on the basis of maturation. The matured ones are contained in the distal end whereas the immature ones are concentrated in the proximal end. 2.Oviducal funnel- A pair of funnel-like structure is present beneath the ovary in the 13th segment. They are the ciliated structures which allow the ova to be passed through a pair of tubular structures called oviducts. The regular beating of cilia helps to collect the ova inside it. 3. Oviducts- The ovducal funnel leads to a narrow pair of tubular structures called oviducts. They are internally ciliated and allows the ova to pass through it. These pair of oviducts run ventral ly to meet at the 14th segment where it forms the female genital aperture. . Female genital aperture- They are the mid- ventrally located apertures in the 14th segment of the earthworm. Through these apertures, the ova which are passing through the oviducts are passed during the cocoon formation. 5. Spermathatheceae- There are four pairs of spermatheca located ventro- laterally in the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th segments. There openings are located in the intersegments of 6/7, 7/8 8/9 and 9/10. They are the sites for reserving the sperms during the copulation phase.The male genital aperture and the spermatheceae get fused during copulation where the sperms from the male genital pore are transferred to spremathaceae. Structurally the spermathaceae consists of a pear-shaped ampulla, a neck and a nose- like outgrowth called diverticulum. In Pheretima, the sperms are stored in the diverticulum and the nourishment is provided by the ampulla. Unlikely in other earthworms, they are stored in the ampulla itself. Fig. Reproductive system of Pheretima posthuma Fig. OvaryFig. Spermathaceae

The Epic of Gilgamesh Essay - 1522 Words

There are many vices and virtues displayed in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a tale from ancient Babylon. Its hero, Gilgamesh the king of Uruk, is two-thirds god and one-third man. Throughout the epic, which consists of three stories, the character of Gilgamesh is developed. This is accomplished by changing the vices he possesses at the start of the epic, and replacing them with virtues he receives by its completion. â€Å"A virtue is a quality of righteousness, goodness, or moral excellence; any good quality or admirable trait of a character.† (Halsey Collier’s Dictionary 1114) â€Å"A vice is an immoral or harmful habit or practice; fault or fall† (Halsey Collier’s Dictionary 1111). Gilgamesh is not the only character in the†¦show more content†¦This stubbornness proves fatal to Enkidu, for later in the epic, he suffers death as punishment for his role in killing Humbaba. Gilgamesh is not a completely flawed character; he possesses, and obtains through his adventures, many positive qualities or virtues. For example, he is courageous. This virtue is evident during his battle with Humbaba. This forest giant is a fearsome adversary, aided by the gods, with a considerable size and strength advantage. Defeat of Humbaba takes the combined efforts of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. To succeed, Gilgamesh had to gain the courage to undergo this task. Enkidu rallies his friend by saying, â€Å"O Gilgamesh, remember now your boasts in Uruk. Forward, attacks, son of Uruk, there is nothing to fear.† (Sandars 20) With this, Gilgamesh’s â€Å"courage railed† (Sandars 20). He defeats and eventually kills Humbaba for which he is subsequently praised. The virtue of loyalty in the Epic of Gilgamesh is best illustrated by the character Enkidu. He is introduced in the epic as a counter to Gilgamesh. Created by the goddess Aruru, Enkidu, a wild and solitary person, is defeated in a wrestling match by Gilgamesh. He then becomes a loyal and faithful friend to the king. This loyalty is tested before the battle with Humbaba. Enkidu, aware of the giant’s powers and strengths, pleads to Gilgamesh, â€Å"You do not know this monster and that is the reason you are not afraid. I whoShow MoreRelatedGilgamesh And The Epic Of Gilgamesh988 Words   |  4 PagesThe maturation of Gilgamesh and his desire to acquire wisdom throughout his journey is quite apparent. By overcoming difficulties such as upholding Uruk, becoming friends with Enkidu, and various other scenarios, Gilgamesh proves that he did in fact grow up throughout the epic. As the epic starts, Gilgamesh is portrayed as a self-centered, self-admiring leader who believes that he is the only individual that can lead the city of Uruk. 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The Attributes Of Public Opinion And Its Effect On Health

The Attributes of Public Opinion and its Effect on Health Reform By Lujain Alyahya DePaul University April, 24, 2017 According to Brodie, Altman, Deane, Buscho and Hamel (2010) in their article â€Å"Liking The Pieces, Not The Package: Contradictions in Public Opinion During Health Reform† The publics opinion on health reform has been historically consistent and steady. The authors examined public opinion through historical and comparative analysis of survey polls data which can be accessed in the database iPoll at the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. The survey data suggests a major determining factor in the public’s ultimate judgment of a reform during its implementation is the perceived impact at the personal level. The article†¦show more content†¦These polls were studied and then broken down into various parts (trends) in their area of study. One of the main attribute of publics’ opinion addresses â€Å"competing issues†. When it comes to the public’s idea and opinion of healthcare versus other competing issues, healthcare al ways seems to be in the top priority. There are many issues the public feel very strong about thus creating â€Å"competing issues.† Even with such competing issues healthcare is always a strong contender and prioritized accordingly. Touching on the interaction of the government on healthcare comes with the overall distrust of the government. A common trend observed in many polls shows that the public does not feel the government will do what’s right when the time calls for it. Although it comes from the mistrust of the opposers of healthcare reform, this pushes the idea that some people feel that the government has too much of a role in healthcare. This illustrates that possibly that the government could cut programs inside healthcare to benefit themselves rather than the public. Approximately 19 percent of the polled public in 2010 thought that the government handles healthcare reform properly keeping the general public at its best interest. Although a substantial number (percentage), it has improved overall decreasing from 69 percent in 1965 when the birth of Medicare was seen. Americans’ views on healthcare reform seem to always be clearly dividedShow MoreRelatedAnalyzing Self Awareness Amongst the Vulnerable Populations in United States1360 Words   |  5 Pagesunderstanding how these biases affect the delivery of health care to individuals, families, and populations. 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