Assignment Prompt & Instructions
In this term paper, you are tasked with conducting an in-depth comparative analysis of two criminological theories that have been covered in this course. Your analysis should demonstrate a critical understanding of the theories' key principles, underlying assumptions, and implications for understanding and addressing crime. Choose two theories from the course material and clearly articulate the key tenets of each theory. Compare their similarities in explaining criminal behavior, identifying shared assumptions or conceptual overlaps. Contrast their differences, including how each theory addresses causation, policy implications, and methodological approaches. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory in explaining a specific type of crime (i.e. domestic violence, robbery, sexual assault, battery, shoplifting, arson, etc.). Use examples or case studies to support your arguments. Discuss how the selected theories can be applied to addressing your selected type of crime and select which of your selected theories best explains your selected crime.
The Term Paper Assignment will consist of at least 15 double-spaced pages (excluding title page, references, figures, illustrations, or other extraneous elements outside the main body of the paper). Students will format their paper using 12-point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. Students will use at least 15 scholarly references (Wikipedia or blogs CANNOT be used as a reference). APA 7th Edition guidelines are to be followed. The structure of the assignment must include the following sections and mandatory headings:
1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Introduction (including thesis statement)
4. Brief Overview of Selected Theories
5. Comparative Analysis
6. Critical Evaluation
7. Application of Theories
8. Conclusion
9. References
TOPIC OVERVIEW:
Parricide, the act of killing one’s parent(s), is a rare but deeply troubling form of homicide that often involves a combination of psychological, biological, and situational factors. These cases are frequently associated with juveniles or individuals who have experienced prolonged abuse, mental illness, or trauma. This paper examines parricide through the frameworks of **rational choice theory** and **biosocial criminological theory** to explore the extent to which offenders engage in deliberate cost-benefit analysis versus being influenced by innate biological and psychological predispositions. While rational choice theory emphasizes the offender’s capacity for calculated decision-making, biosocial theory integrates neurological, genetic, and environmental influences that may compromise rational judgment. This comparison aims to uncover which theory better accounts for the motivations and circumstances surrounding parricide.
THESIS STATEMENT TO USE:
This paper will evaluate the crime of parricide through the lenses of rational choice theory and biosocial criminological theory to determine which framework more effectively explains the motivations behind such offenses. While rational choice theory suggests that individuals weigh costs and benefits before committing crimes, biosocial theory considers the interaction of genetic, neurological, and environmental influences that may predispose individuals to violent behavior. This analysis will argue that biosocial theory offers a more comprehensive explanation of parricide, particularly in cases involving juveniles and individuals with histories of abuse or mental health disorders, where rational decision-making processes may be impaired or overridden by biological and psychological factors.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Parricide presents a significant challenge in criminology due to its emotional complexity and the frequent involvement of young offenders or those with a history of trauma and mental illness. Traditional deterrence-based models may fail to account for offenders whose biological or psychological impairments hinder rational decision-making. Rational choice theory provides insight into conscious cost-benefit reasoning but may not fully explain extreme familial violence stemming from long-term trauma or neurobiological dysfunction. This paper argues that understanding parricide requires a deeper investigation into biosocial factors that interact with social environments, helping to shape the offender’s behavior beyond rational calculation.
POTENTIAL SOURCES PLUS OTHER THAT YOU MAY NEED
Cullen, F. T., Agnew, R., & Wilcox, P. (2021). Criminological theory: Past to present (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Fox, B. (2017). It’s nature and nurture: Integrating biology and genetics into the social learning theory of criminal behavior. Journal of Criminal Justice, 49, 22–31.
Rocque, M., & Posick, C. (2017). Paradigm shift or normal science? The future of (biosocial) criminology. Theoretical Criminology, 21(3), 288–303.
Rocque, M., Welsh, B. C., & Raine, A. (2012). Biosocial criminology and modern crime prevention. Journal of Criminal Justice, 40(4), 306–312