THEORIES OF CRIME CAUSATION

CHAPTER 1

UNDERSTANDING THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL NORMS AND ETHICS

Lesson 1: Human Mind and Behavior in Relation with the Social Norms and Ethics

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. identify the different potentialities of being a true human being;
2. examine the concept of human mind and how it affects the behavior;
3. name the different types of norms; and
4. analyze and decide when facing a dilemma or problem.

INTRODUCTION
How do we understand the human mind? Let us first attempt to answer this question: What
makes a man truly human? According to some ideals of humanism, to be considered truly
human is to have these four potentialities.
1. Physical potentiality: This is about having a concrete body (one’s bodily development)
and having the ability or skills to carry out physical activities.
2. Mental ability: This is a person’s capability to think critically, rationally, and logically.
3. Communication skills: This is about a person’s ability to read, write, and talk to others.
4. Social skills: This includes a person’s abilities to engage and interact with and to
contribute to society (Moga, S.J., cited in Rola, 2008).

However, to be considered a true human being does not necessarily mean that a ‘person’ excels
in all these four skills; it is enough one averagely possesses all the four potentialities.
Ironically, some human beings could not essentially be considered human for two (2) reasons:
First, it takes much time and effort for one to grow and reach full potential. Months after birth,
one’s behavior, the same of a little animal, not yet fully developed, is manifested. Second, it is
possible that some individuals will not reach full development since there are those who fail to
possess the basic qualities necessary for full humanness. Occasionally, the word ‘inhuman’ may
be used to describe such a person (Moga, 1995).

Moreover, a human is a conscious being. Therefore, being conscious, how does the human
mind think and behave?
Our actions displayed in the society as observed by others are the products of the way we
responded to a stimulus. It is the outcome of how our brain processed that perceived
information. For example, you see your enemy, it is now the neurons that send messages to the
amygdala, as the part of the brain that processes fear, triggers anger, and motivates us to act;
and the brain-amygdala will integrate that information and will issue a command for a response
(This is the reaction of either having a fight against your enemy or not). Fighting your enemy
when you cannot control your emotion is normal, but when it reaches the point where you
would kill your enemy, then that is not normal anymore, aside from it being unethical, it will
also violate the law and is contrary to the norms set by society.

CONCEPTS

Understanding the human mind is the main concept of the psychoanalytic theory by Sigmund
Freud. According to Freud (1915), the human mind has three (3) levels of awareness, These are
the conscious (10%), subconscious (50-60%), and unconscious (30-40%). The combination of the
three makes up what we call reality. The conscious level serves as the scanner that allows you
to perceive an event, trigger a need to react, and then depending on the importance of the
event, store it either in the unconscious or the subconscious area of the human mind where it
remains available. The subconscious is the storage point for any recent memories needed for
quick recall, such as the telephone number or the name of a person you just met. It also holds
current information that you use every day, such as your current recurring thoughts, behavior
patterns, habits, and feelings. The unconscious mind is where all of your memories and past
experiences reside. These are those memories that have been repressed through trauma and
those that have simply been consciously forgotten and are no longer important to us. It is from
these memories and experiences that our beliefs, habits, and behaviors are formed (Journal
Psyche, 1994).
In connection with the above-mentioned topic, what premise of human mind does the conduct
norms devised by Thorsten Sellin belong? Of course it belongs to the conscious level. Speaking
of conduct norms, it refers to the norms that are defined by the groups to which the individual
belongs. Meaning these are the norms in a specific society to which everyone must conform in
order for him or her not to be considered as deviant. For example, when you are along the
beach especially in Boracay it’s alright if you wear your two-piece swimsuit, but is it pleasing if
you wear that kind of stuff inside the church?

NORMS
James Chris in his book Social Control (2007) defined norm as a rule for behavior and a guide to
conduct. In essence, norms are statements that regulate behavior. According to Merriam-
Webster’s Dictionary, norm is a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group
and serving to guide, control, or regulates proper and acceptable behavior. In connection with
this, Thorsten Sellin (1938) posited the concept of conduct norm which belongs under the
conscious level. Conduct norms refer to the norms that are defined by the groups to which the
individual belongs. These are the norms in a specific society to which everyone must conform to
so that he or she will not be considered as a deviant. For example, wearing a swimsuit is a norm
in the beach but not inside a church.
On the other hand, Lisa Roundy (2013) in her study stated that social norm is the accepted
behavior that an individual is expected to conform to in a particular group, community, or
culture. When you do not conform to the social norms that are accepted by your culture or
group, it is considered as an abnormal behavior.
An important theory on the emergence of social norms was developed by the early American
sociologist William Graham Sumner in his book Folkways published in 1906, and these are: 1)
folkways, sometimes known as “conventions” or “customs,” which are standards of behavior
that are socially approved but not morally significant like whistling at night breaks the Filipino
folkway; 2) mores which are norms of morality that have to be followed, otherwise, people
who share the same culture will be offended, like attending a church wearing appropriate
clothing and avoiding intimate acts with. 3) taboo which are prohibited or restricted by social
custom like abortion in Philippine culture; 4) law which is a formal body of rules enacted by the
state and backed by the power of the state. Virtually all taboos, like child abuse and rape are
enacted into law. However, even some mores are also enacted into law, like gossiping in some
areas, not all mores are such as when you not helping the elders while crossing the street.

ETHICS
There is a popular maxim that says, “Values cannot be taught but it can be caught”. It literally
means that no matter how serious you are in instilling values to a person, if that person rejects
directly or indirectly your teaching, it is useless. Maximo Torrento (2016) in his study cited that
value is something desirable, worth having, worth possessing, worth keeping, and worth, doing.
Value is identical with good. Pollock (2010) defines values as unverifiable “elements of
desirability, worth, and importance.” That is why when speaking of value, or values we cannot
depart ourselves from dwelling about ethics.
In his ethical writings, Aristotle endorses egoism, rationality, and the value of life. He insisted
that the key idea in ethics is a human individual’s own personal happiness and well-being. Each
man is responsible for his own character. According to Aristotle, each person has a natural
obligation to achieve, become, and make something of himself by pursuing his true ends and
goals in life (http://www.quebecoislibre.org). Peter Singer (1985) in his article Ethics
Philosophy, defined ethics also called moral philosophy, as the discipline concerned with what
is morally good and bad, right and wrong. It is derived from the old French term éthique, from
Latin ethice, and from Greek ēthikē which all mean the science of morals. The term ethics is
also applied to any system or theory of moral values or principles. There are actions which
might be unethical not conforming to the customs or norms in a specific society but not illegal.
For example, it is usually unethical to accidentally step on the foot of another person without
asking sorry, but it is not necessary illegal.

ACTIVITY 1.1: THINK, PAIR AND SHARE (THE MOST vs. THE LEAST)
Find a partner. For ten (10) minutes discuss with your partner the four (4) potentialities of a
true human being. After discussing it with your partner, identify what potentiality that you think
you possess the MOST and what you possess the LEAST. Support your answer. Next, share what
have you discussed with your partner to the other pairs. The output must be presented to the
class.
1.1 Discuss the four (4) potentialities or skills of a true human being.

1.2 What skill do you think you possess the MOST? Support your answer.
 1.3 What skill do you think you possess the LEAST? Support your answer.

ACTIVITY 1.2: TELL ME WHY

2.1 Do you believe that your responses or actions are influenced by the way your brain
processed the
Perceived stimulus? Why?
2.2 What will you do if while walking along a narrow road you saw a suspicious man rushing at
you? Flee? Why?

ACTIVITY 1.3: NAME ME

Below are the different types of norms. Write letter F on the space provided if it is under
folkways, M for mores, T for taboo and L for laws.

1. Celebrating fiesta
2. Greeting and saying goodbye to the elders
3. Having sacred marriage ceremony
4. Entering other’s house without permission
5. Two people intimately kissing inside a church
6. Wearing see-through clothes and above-the-knee skirt when going to church
7. Resorting to abortion
8. Having an incestuous relationship
 9. Killing a person
10. The Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002

ACTIVITY 1.4: YOU DECIDE

Assume that you are the Chief of Police in your city. On the way to a random inspection among
your subordinates, you caught a scene where bystanders are looking at a commotion between
two men. Then you realized that the root cause of the chaos is your younger What will you do?
Support your answer.
Lesson 2: Concept of Human Behavior: Philosophical, Psychological, and
Sociological Perspective

Learning Outcome
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Explain the concept of human behavior;

2. Examine your own self; and
3. Discuss the different perspectives of human behavior

INTRODUCTION
Man is a social being. He needs to interact and socialize with others. In the
process of socialization, he may act or interact with others. He may behave or
misbehave depending on the given circumstance. According to Natalie Boyd
(2015) in her article entitled Human Behavior, human behavior is defined as the
term used to describe a person’s actions and conduct. It also refers to the
reaction to facts of relationship between the individual and his environment.
Human behavior is mainly influenced by both heredity and environment.
Everything that we say and do is a reflection of our own being. It speaks of who
we are as a person.

According to the French Anthropologist Marcel Mauss as cited in the book of

(Alata et al., 2018) entitled .Understanding the Self, every self has two (2) faces:
the personne and moi. Moi refers to a person’s sense of who he is, his body, and
his basic identity, his biological givenness. Personne is composed of the social
concepts of what it means to be who he is. For example, Mrs. Reagana is a police
officer; she is also a wife and a mother of two (2) kids. As a police officer she
needs to maintain a stem but calm personality in order to be respected. As a
mother, she may be sweet toward her husband and caring and loving toward her
children. Mrs. Reagana’s self that shifts in order to blend and fit with the given
situation is her personne but herself that is static or constant is her moi.

ACTIVITY 2.1: WHO AM l?

In this activity, you will explain the concept of human behavior in five (5)
sentences only using your own words. After which, you will describe your moi and
your personne. Write your answers on the space provided below:

1. Discuss the concept of human behavior using your own words (5 sentences only):

2. Describe your moi:

3. Describe your personne:

CONCEPTS

Concept of Human Behavior: Philosophical, Psychological, and Sociological Perspective

Philosophical

Socrates believed that the best life and the life most suited to human nature involved
reasoning. He also believed that nobody willingly chooses to do wrong. Plato, on the other
hand, believed that human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and
knowledge. In the article published by Edward W.Younkins (2003) entitled “Aristotle, Human
Flourishing, and the Limited State”, it is stated that Aristotle heralds the role of reason in a
proper human life. He examined the nature of man and his functions and sees that man
survives through purposeful conduct which results from the active exercise of man’s capacity
for rational thought, The ability to reason separates man from all other living organisms and
supplies him with his unique means of survival and of flourishing, It is through purposive,
rational conduct that a person can achieve happiness. For Aristotle, a being of conceptual
consciousness must focus on reality and must discover the knowledge and actions required if
he wants to fully develop as a human person.

Further, in trying to comprehend the principle of human behavior in a philosophical

perspective, let us first determine what is it to be a person? Debatably, there are human beings
that are not persons (those in a persistent vegetative state). There might also be persons that
are not human beings (the great apes and intelligent beings on other planets). We are going to
find out what is the basic condition for personhood. In short, we need to complete the
statement that Mr. Y is a person if…

As cited in (www.open.edu.com), there is a tradition in philosophy, which includes the thoughts

of Rousseau and Kant, which holds that there is a normative aspect to personhood. This would
mean that specifying the nature of personhood would not simply be describing how we are in
fact, but rather describing how we ought to be. According to this tradition, a person ought to be
an ‘autonomous being’. What constitutes an autonomous being is the subject of much debate.
According to one recent commentator, ‘at a minimum, the agents must be able to act for
reasons, reflecting on facts and interests across time’ (Hill, 2000). We can think of an
autonomous being as one who is able to determine the ‘shape’ of their life through reasoned
free choices. Examples of a different son are prisoners. Prisoners have freedom of thought, but
not freedom of action. Hence, they are autonomous in some ways, but not in others. On the
other hand, if another human being is not acting autonomously, it might be appropriate not to
treat them as a person. Another example, is a situation where you are walking home with your
friend, and you found a wallet. Inside the wallet are fifty-thousand peso bills. You have now the
choice or freewill whether to forward it to the police station so that it could be returned to the
owner or spend it for shopping or a drinking spree. In this case, if you’re acting based on your
desire to drink some alcoholic beverage or go for shopping and not for the reason to return the
money back to the owner, then you are not autonomous. You do not possess the vital condition
of personhood. Hence, the behavior is not for the real human being. Just like a crocodile that
has the desire to eat the chicken but not knowing the reason why it eats the chicken. It just eats
it.

Psychological
Why would some men tend to get aroused sexually when they see a seductive girl while others
do not? In psychology, people are considered as living machines who receive information from
the world process it in various ways, and then act on it. According to a school of thought known
as behaviorism, human behavior was all about the way a certain stimulus produces an
appropriate response. Your behavior usually starts with sensory perception: the way your five
main senses (vision, hearing, smell, touch, and taste), plus other lesser-known sensory abilities
such as proprioception (your sense of where your limbs are and how your body is moving), feed
information into your brain (Woodford, 2018). For example, when you see your crush, it is your
sense of sight through your eyes that recognized the stimulus (your crush). Then neurons send
signal to your limbic brain causing your hypothalamus to release the neurohormone known as
dopamine. As a result, you feel happy and inspired on the outside. In short, all our behaviors
observed by others are the product of how our physiological system inside our body works.

Sociological
Functionalism, one of the schools in sociology, explains that society is a system having parts
which are connected and related with each other. It is through this system that human behavior
is being formed in the process of socialization. The way a specific person behaves within the
society he lives is also influenced by what culture has been established in that area. If you’re
living in a place that prohibits you to do that kind of act but still you did it, then you can be
called as a deviant or worse, you can be held criminally liable. For example, in Singapore it is
illegal not to flush your toilet and to spit in a public place. However, is it also illegal in your
place? According to psychologist Gordon Allport (1954), social psychology is a discipline that
uses scientific methods “to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of
individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of Other human beings”
(https://www.verywellmind.com/social-psychology).

A publication entitled “Shared Agency: A Planning Theory of Acting Together” by Michael E.

Bratman from Standford University, best described the socio-philosophical concept of how a
person interacts with one another. Bratman’s main claim is that the key ingredients in human
shared activity are the intention to do something together, combined with the interlocking and
intended meshing of plans. Shared intentional activity is a complicated structure of
interconnected people who are planning. For example, the congressmen and senators in the
two Houses of Congress maybe against each other politically but when it comes to drafting a bill
they agreed to work together on it. It is because they have the shared intention and
commitment to do it for the public who voted for them.
ACTIVITY 2.2: ADD ME UP
If you are going to add at least one (1) perspective of human behavior, what will it be and why?
Write your answers on the space provided.

ACTIVITY 2.3: CRYSTAL CLEAR and THE MUDDIEST POINT

Which of the discussed perspectives of human behavior do you agree with? Why? Write your
answers on the space provided.

APPLICATION: Role-playing
Form a group of fifteen (15). As a group, chose one (1) perspective of human behavior to role-
play. Rate each of your group member’s performance using the rubric provided by your
teacher.