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Chapter 1

THE INTRODUCTION

The Study Context

Decision making is a choice whereby a person performs a conclusion

about a situation. This represents a course of behavior about what must or what

must not be done. It is the point which plans, policies and objectives are

translated into concrete actions. (Peter Drucker). Some consider decision making

an art, others a proficiency. Decisions may be personal or professional, but, in

each case, the choices may lead to lasting consequences. In other words, the

decisions we make have the potential to affect ourselves and others in the short

and long term. Therefore, it is valuable to possess a skill set that will allow you to

reflect and weigh alternatives.

Not all decisions will lead to a good result. There are a couple of things

that impact decision-making and can leave us feeling like we have made the

‘wrong’ choices in life. In order to understand the effects of bad decisions, it's

important to first establish what we mean by bad decisions. A bad decision is one

in which you override your senses and choose an option that, at some level, you

know you should not.

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There are several important factors that influence decision making.

Significant factors include past experiences, a variety of cognitive biases, an

escalation of commitment and sunk outcomes, individual differences, including

age and socioeconomic status, and a belief in personal relevance. These things

all impact the decision making process and the decisions made.

Every individuals worldwide definitely encountered decision making for it is

part of our daily lives and people in Quezon City are not exempted from this.

Arnold Bennett, a famous novelist stated that bad decisions will surely result to

regrets from doing wrong actions as solution or worse, committing crime.

Crime is simply a convenient monosyllable which we apply to what

happens when the brain and the heart come into conflict and the brain is

defeated. While on the book Crime, Justice and Correction, defined crime as an

intentional act or omission in violation of criminal law, committed without defense

or justification and sanctioned by the state as felony or misdemeanor. (Crime,

Justice and Correction; 1960).

A misdemeanor is considered a crime of low seriousness. It is usually any

crime that has a maximum jail sentence of a year or less, or that can’t be

punished by prison time. The most serious misdemeanor classification, Class A

misdemeanors, or Class 1 misdemeanors, often result in up to 12 months

imprisonment in the local jail, and may include the addition of a hefty fine.

Sentences for Class A misdemeanors are very similar to lesser felonies. Criminal

acts classified as Class A misdemeanors or Class 1 misdemeanors may include:

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Assault causing bodily injury, Burglary, DUI with no bodily injury, Resisting arrest,

Perjury, Possession of a controlled substance, Unlawful possession of a weapon

and Violation of a restraining order.

Class B misdemeanors, or Class 2 misdemeanors, are those acts

considered less severe than Class A. The prosecution takes into account the

nature and severity of the crime, as well as the defendant’s character and

whether he has a criminal history in determining the harshness of the

punishment. Criminal acts classified as Class B or Class 2 misdemeanors may

include: Criminal mischief, Criminal trespass, Certain types of terroristic threats,

Certain types of assault, Indecent exposure, Prostitution and Graffiti.

Class C misdemeanors, or Class 3 misdemeanors, are minor offenses for

which punishment usually does not include jail time in many jurisdictions.

Habitual offenders may, however, find their sentence enhanced, with jail time and

a larger monetary fine. Criminal acts classified as Class C or Class 3

misdemeanors may include: Criminal mischief, Disorderly conduct, Certain types

of assault, Reckless damage or destruction, Leaving a child unattended in a

vehicle, Criminal trespass, Issuing a bad check and Falsely reporting a missing

child or person.

As a general rule, felony offenses are those which carry a potential prison

term of more than one year. A felony is considered to be a wrong against society

as a whole, and the state, in the person of a prosecutor or district attorney, brings

all legal action related to felony prosecutions. Conviction of a felony can lead to
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further restrictions, including the loss of the right to vote, as well as

disqualification for ownership of firearms. The crime typically remains a felony

even if the judge sentences the defendant to something other the maximum

sentence even if the actual punishment doesn’t involve any time behind bars.

Certain crimes, by their very nature, are considered so heinous or severe

that they are always considered felonies. Homicide, kidnapping and burglary are

examples. In most other instances, whether or not an illegal act constitutes a

felony depends on the severity of the crime. With theft crimes, it’s the dollar

amount—which varies from state to state—that distinguishes between grand

theft/grand larceny, a felony, and petty theft/petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

From an article written by Julianne Love De Jesus on Philippine Inquirer,

crime decreased by 79,938 under Duterte Administration (July 2016- March

2017) from Aquino Administration 158,879 (July 2015- March 2016). In addition,

from the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM),

there was a total of 100,668 index crimes recorded from January to November

2017. It represents a 21.8% drop from the period in 2016, where they recorded

128,730 index crime incidents and the December crime data is set to be released

in mid-January 2018.

The research studied about the different reasons and factors that triggered

the convicts to commit crimes particularly in Quezon City Police District (QCPD)

and will have them as informants.

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To narrow down the study, the researchers limited the factors that

triggered a person to commit crimes which are financial factor, social factor,

ecological factor, psychological factor and political factor.

Significance of the Study

This research study could provide information about the reasons of people

why they commit crimes and what factors does affect their decision whether it is

financial, social, or psychological factor. This research can be beneficial to those

who are behind bars because it may raise awareness for people to look in the

other side of the story which is to know the background of the individuals and to

know the reason why and what triggered them to do it. Thus, people will look at

them less immoral knowing the reason why they did it. The contribution of this

research is to determine whether a convict will still make the same crime that he

committed now that he knows what will be the consequences he will face. The

research may serve as guide for those who want to create another thesis or

study about criminality in the same field.

The Study Framework

The theories below were all related to our subject regarding the factors

that affects an individual to commit such crime. Each theory was defined and

explained, then the short history and background follows. In the end, the

relevance to the topic will also be explained.

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Psychological Theory

Psychological Theory explains on how individual characteristics may

interact with the social environment to produce a violent event and on how

mental processes impact individual propensities for violence. Charles Goring

(1870-1919) discovered a relationship between crime and flawed intelligence.

Goring found no physical differences between non-criminals and criminals.

However, he did find that criminals are more likely to be insane, to be

unintelligent, and to exhibit poor social behavior. Psychologists are often

interested in the association between learning, intelligence, and personality and

aggressive behavior. In this section of the report, we briefly review some of the

major psychological perspectives that have attempted to explain violent behavior.

When examining psychological theories of crime, one must be cognizant of the

three major theories. The first is psychodynamic theory, which is centered on the

notion that an individual’s early childhood experience influences his or her

likelihood for committing future crimes. The second is behavioral theory.

Behavioral theorists have expanded the work of Gabriel Tarde through behavior

modeling and social learning. The third is cognitive theory, the major premise of

which suggests that an individual’s perception and how it is manifested (Jacoby,

2004) affect his or her potential to commit crime. In other words, behavioral

theory focuses on how an individual’s perception of the world influences his or

her behavior.
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Socio-dynamic Theory

Psychodynamic theory suggest that an individual’s personality is

controlled by unconscious mental processes that are grounded in early

childhood. This theory was originated by Sigmund Freud (1856–1939), the

founder of psychoanalysis. Imperative to this theory are the three elements or

structures that make up the human personality: (1) the id, (2), the ego, and (3)

the superego. Id is concerned with instant pleasure or gratification while

disregarding concern for others. This is known as the pleasure principle, and it is

often paramount when discussing criminal behavior. The second element of the

human personality is the ego, which is thought to develop early in a person’s life.

For example, when children learn that their wishes cannot be gratified

instantaneously, they often throw a tantrum. Freud (1933) suggested that the ego

compensates for the demands of the id by guiding an individual’s actions or

behaviors to keep him or her within the boundaries of society. The ego is guided

by the reality principle. The third element of personality, the superego, develops

as a person incorporates the moral standards and values of the community;

parents; and significant others, such as friends and clergy members. The focus

of the superego is morality. The superego serves to pass judgment on the

behavior and actions of individuals (Freud, 1933).

In sum, psychodynamic theory suggests that criminal offenders are

frustrated and aggravated. They are constantly drawn to past events that
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occurred in their early childhood. Because of a negligent, unhappy, or miserable

childhood, which is most often characterized by a lack of love and/or nurturing, a

criminal offender has a weak (or absent) ego. Most important, research suggests

that having a weak ego is linked with poor or absence of social etiquette,

immaturity, and dependence on others. Research further suggests that

individuals with weak egos may be more likely to engage in drug abuse.

Behavioral Theory

The second major psychological theory is behaviorism. This theory

maintains that human behavior is developed through learning experiences. The

hallmark of behavioral theory is the notion that people alter or change their

behavior according to the reactions this behavior elicits in other people (Bandura,

1978). In an ideal situation, behavior is supported by rewards and extinguished

by negative reactions or punishments. Behaviorists view crimes as learned

responses to life’s situations. Social learning theory, which is a branch of

behavior theory, is the most relevant to criminology. The most prominent social

learning theorist is Albert Bandura (1978). Bandura maintains that individuals are

not born with an innate ability to act violently. He suggested that, in contrast,

violence and aggression are learned through a process of behavior modeling

(Bandura, 1977). In other words, children learn violence through the observation

of others. Aggressive acts are modeled after three primary sources: (1) family

interaction, (2) environmental experiences, and (3) the mass media. Research on

family interaction demonstrates that children who are aggressive are more likely
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to have been brought up by parents or caretakers who are aggressive (Jacoby,

2004).

Conceptual framework

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

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Decision making will definitely encountered by every individuals in

everyday living and this research will help to create awareness among them. For

this study, the researchers will try to come up with the possible factors and

reasons of people to trigger them to commit crime in terms of Financial, Social,

Psychological, Political and Ecological factors. What are the effects of this factors

to an individual for them conclude a decision that may result into violence or

worse crime.

The red circle on the right represent crime itself and the orange circle on

the left represents human. In the middle are the different factors that the

researchers want to focus on, first is financial factor. There is one factor under it,

Unemployment and poor job. Under the unemployment and poor job, it affects

the decision of an individual by poverty, lack of needs, money and no job at all.

An individual is triggered to commit crime because as a human he needs to

provide his needs in order to survive.

The second factor main factor is Socio-dynamic factor, under of it is two

factors, Irritability and low self-control and child socialization process. Under

Irritability and low self-control, it affects the decision of an individual because

when a person is frustrated and irritable, he cannot control himself and he usually

decide easily without thinking further that may lead to violence and worse crime.

Second factor is Child’s Socialization process, it affects the decision of an

individual because when a person does not usually socialize with other people,

he usually became violent when other person contradicts his decisions.

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The third main factor is Psychological factor, under of it is three factors,

mental health, criminal behavior, personality disorder. First is Mental health, it

affects the decision of an individual because when a person cannot think or

analyze a certain situation, it will lead to incorrect decision. Mental health is

important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through

adulthood. Second is Criminal behavior, it affects the decision of an individual

because when a person is used to do wrong deeds like when a person usually

get other’s property even though it is a joke for him. Third is personality disorder,

it affects the decision of an individual because when a person have this disorder.

It is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of

the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time.

Statement of the Problem

This research aimed to identify and discuss the different factors that affect

an individual to commit such crime and also the reasons behind the committed

crimes. It also aimed to know the background of the convicts to know if it is

related with committing crimes. This study would also identify if convicts were

given a chance would they still do the same crime that they committed.

The Objectives

Specifically, this sought to attain the following objectives.

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1. To determine the different factors that affects an individual to commit

crime. Whether it is a financial, psychological, and socio-dynamic

factor and its impact on their lives.

2. To know the background of the informants to comprehend if it is

related with them committing crimes.

3. To comprehend what will informants do if they are given a chance to

go back in time when they are in the scenario of committing a crime.

4. How did the informants adjust in their life inside the prison.

5. How do the informants perceived the challenges inside the prison.

6. How would the informants perceived himself or herself after he get

released from the prison.

Postulates

The researchers were able to formulate some assumptions regarding to the

study.

1. Psychological, sociological or financial factors have significant effect in an

individual for them to commit crime.

2. The background of the informants have an effect with their decision in

making crimes.

3. Poverty is the main reason why an individual commit a crime.

4. Informants find difficulty living inside or behind bars.

5. If given a chance, informants would still do the same crime they have.
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Explication of Terms

Crime in this study, this refers to the crimes committed by the informants

such as robbery, theft, physical assault and arson

Psychological Factors in this study, it encompass processes that take

place at the individual-level as well as the meanings that one attributes to a

particular situation which in turn affects our mental state viewed criminality as a

product of abnormal psychological traits

Sociological Factors in this study, encompass those that are present in

the society and influence the individual by their structure and course. The social

frames of reference for studying crime are individual, familial, peer factors, socio

economic status and schools.

Financial Factors in this study, it is a state or condition in which a person

or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum

standard of life and well-being that's considered acceptable in society.

Informants in this study, these are the people who are convicted and

currently living in the prison.

Behind Bars in this study, this refers to a situation or condition of a

person living in a particular prison.

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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the literature that have bearing and relationship to

the present study. This gave the researcher broader perspective which aid the

researchers in conceptualizing and understanding of the study of the factors

behind committing crime. The literature and studies cited will help the

researchers in the interpretation of findings.

RELATED LITERATURE

In the book, The Causes and Cures of Criminality, Eysenck and

Gudjonsson claim that: “Many – if not most – sociological theories boil down to

what might be called economic theories, i.e., crimes as a result of poverty,

whether relative or absolute, deprivation, and similar economic causes. Although

such theories have always had appeal, they do not accord with the facts.” This

claim, backed up by figures based on thorough research studies, attempts to

rebut the “theory” that poverty is a major cause of criminality. But the research

studies were done in the context of an industrialized society where poverty is not

prevalent. The fact is, in a society that is not generally poor, poverty cannot really

be a major cause of criminality. Hence, the findings stressed by Eysenck and

Gudjonsson cannot be applied, across the board, to practically all societies. What
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we only have to accept is the fact that poverty, in the context of poor countries

like the Philippines, is a major cause of criminality. It is illogical, however, to

conjecture that poverty is the only cause, considering the fact that other major

causes are identifiable, many of which are bred in an environment that is

characterized by the sharp features of poverty

In the Philippine Star article in 2008, the writer Jose C. Sison wrote that

the Crimes committed due to extreme want or hunger or for purely economic

reasons are usually those crimes against property like stealing and other

fraudulent schemes to obtain somebody else’s belongings and resources. The

most common examples of this kind of crimes are the pickpockets or bag or cell

phone snatchers and illegal recruiters.

There are a number of resources that provide a comprehensive

exploration of school crime and violence. Cornell 2006, Elliot, et al.

1998, Gottfredson 2001, and Lawrence 2006 approach this problem by

examining the causes and nature of delinquency as well as school-based

prevention strategies designed to create safer environments for students, faculty,

and administrators. These books can be used as stand-alone texts on school

crime and violence for undergraduate and graduate courses in education or

criminology. In addition, these resources are suitable for scholars and school

administrators. Devine 1996 offers a unique examination of inner-city schools.

This ethnographic description of school crime and violence can be used as a tool

for students and administrators alike. Furlong and Morrison 2000 provides a

historical overview of crime and violence in American schools, with particular

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emphasis on defining school violence. Furlong, et al. 2004examines

methodological and measurement issues in school violence research and

discusses topics such as bullying and weapons possession. Thomas 2006 also

explores types of school violence as well as strategies to mediate these

problems.

According to study.com Peer pressure has been linked to criminal

behavior, but it has not been found to be a primary reason why most people

engage in criminal behavior. In the case of adolescents, immaturity has been

found to be positively correlated to how much the negative influence of others

can impact us to engage in destructive behavior, such as becoming involved in

crimes. Dr. David Fassler, a psychiatry professor, claims that the immaturity

found in juveniles around the ages of 16 to 19, can lead to impulsivity and

aggressive behavior. This in turn leaves teenagers more vulnerable to peer

influence that can lead them to commit crimes.

St. Augustine, who ponders this question in 387 A.D. writes: “ So when

people look for the reason why some criminal act has been committed their

account is only rendered credible when it is evident that there may have been

greed on the malefactor’s part to gain possession of goods belonging to

someone else… Suppose someone has committed homicide. Why did he do it?

Perhaps he was in love with the victim’s wife, or coveted his estate—or burned

for revenge. Is it likely that he would kill another person because he enjoyed

killing?
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In his own case St. Augustine confesses he has stolen some pears for

the simple joy of the act of stealing. “I feasted on the sin, nothing else, and that I

relished and enjoyed.” He says, “In vice there lurks a counterfeit beauty: pride,

for instance even pride apes sublimity.”

During an eleven-week period in 1990, on the novel Dreaming for Freud

(Kohler, 2014). Sigmund Freud treated an eighteen-year-old girl for hysteria and

wrote about his treatment in one of the most famous psychological case studies

ever published. In Dreaming for Freud, Kohler brings us into the minds of Freud

and his patient, who is never named in the novel. The patient, who is suffering

from leg pains and a debilitating cough, has considered suicide. She is angry at

her parents who does not believe her story of a sexual assault on her by a family

friend. The girl shares her story with Freud, sometimes telling the truth,

sometimes half-truth, and sometimes lying. Freud listens to her story,

understanding her only as much as he can through his own prejudices. In this

novel it states that the mental and psychological analysis of a person affects that

thing that he or she do or react in the situation he or she encounter

The National institute of corrections said that the people with mental

illnesses are “overrepresented” in prison populations by two to four times people

who have not been diagnosed with mental illnesses. More than half the

populations in jails and state and federal prisons have some kind of mental

illness, compared with 18% of all U.S. adults, according to National Institute of

Mental Health.

Public opinion surveys suggest that many people think mental illness and
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violence go hand in hand. A 2006 national survey found, for example, that 60%

of Americans thought that people with schizophrenia were likely to act violently

toward someone else, while 32% thought that people with major depression were

likely to do so.

In fact, research suggests that this public perception does not reflect

reality. Most individuals with psychiatric disorders are not violent. Although a

subset of people with psychiatric disorders commit assaults and violent crimes,

findings have been inconsistent about how much mental illness contributes to

this behavior and how much substance abuse and other factors do.

An ongoing problem in the scientific literature is that studies have used

different methods to assess rates of violence — both in people with mental

illness and in control groups used for comparison. Some studies rely on "self-

reporting," or participants' own recollection of whether they have acted violently

toward others. Such studies may underestimate rates of violence for several

reasons. Participants may forget what they did in the past, or may be

embarrassed about or unwilling to admit to violent behavior. Other studies have

compared data from the criminal justice system, such as arrest rates among

people with mental illness and those without. But these studies, by definition

involving a subset of people, may also misstate rates of violence in the

community. Finally, some studies have not controlled for the multiple variables

beyond substance abuse that contribute to violent behavior (whether an

individual is mentally ill or not), such as poverty, family history, personal adversity

or stress, and so on.

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SYNTHESIS

Corina Graif, Andrew Gladfelter, Stephen Matthews, Jose Sison, Eysenck,

and Gudjonssin pointed out the one of the factors that affects an individual's

decision making. As Eysenck and Gudjonssin stated "Many - if not most -

sociological theories, i.e., crimes as a result of poverty, whether relative or

absolute, deprivation, and similar economic causes. This claimes that poverty is

a major cause of criminality. Jose Sison said that due to extreme want or hunger

or for purely economic reasons are usually those crimes against proper stealing,

and other examples of crimes. Corina Graif, Stephen Matthew, and Andrew

Gladfelter said that poverty are closely related to multiple indices of criminal

exposure and offending.

Dr David Fassler, and Allison Payne's article and study focused on how

social factor can lead an individual to commit crimes. As Dr David Fassler said,

the immaturity can lead to impulsivity and aggressive behavior. While Allison

Payne said "Although school-related deaths, violent victimization in schools, and

overall school crime have declines in recent years, delinquency and victimization

in schools is still considerable problem for students, faculty and administrators."

In addition, she also said that teachers in schools spend a larger proportion of

their time coping with behavior problems of the students rather than in academic

instruction.

In many cases as stated in Sheila Kohler's article who gives us a person

and situation where is psychological factors affect an individual. Related to this

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MacArthur focused on how mental illness leads to a violent crimes. He believe

that most individuals with psychiatric disorders are not violent. Although a subset

if people with this disorder commit assaults and violent crimes.