The motivation for criminal behavior, like any other motivation for action of a psychophysiological nature, has common signs of human behavior. Only they are supplanted by goals and needs, which are criminal in their social content. Although, in the legal literature there is no unity of opinion about the ethical essence of motivation for criminal behavior, since all the 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 the motive. This is a component of the personality that affects the internal formation of the stimulus of behavior.
It is not without reason that the assertion has been substantiated, stating that what is the motive is such a person. This is confirmed once again by the famous parable about workers at a construction site. One person asked them what they were doing. One answered: "I am carrying this damned stone!" Another said: "I make money on bread." And the third answered: "I am building a beautiful temple." And this is just the only example demonstrating the difference in internal attitudes with outwardly identical behavior.
Motivation is the next important concept. This is the dynamics of motives, the process of their occurrence and subsequent formation, development and change. It affects goal setting and decision making. Motivation is closely connected with it, as well as with the concept mentioned at the beginning. This is an attempt to rationally explain your 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, as a child. Motives are the basis of personality. They are formed as if outside of man. Subsequently, they are changed, adjusted, supplemented. But often the motives are constant for the individual, they pervade 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, it seems that the motive arises instantly, under the influence of circumstances. But be that as it may, he already has a personality root.
Motivation levels
Now you can proceed to a thorough discussion of the topic. The psychology of criminal behavior distinguishes 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.
An example is robbery. Outwardly, it can be motivated by the desire of the individual to quickly enrich themselves with self-interest, a craving for material wealth. But from the point of view of the deep level, other prerequisites lie here. By committing a robbery, a person reduces his traumatic anxiety that he will be in danger and need if he is not adequately provided.
It is important to note that the motivation of criminal behavior in criminology is difficult to distinguish by levels. Especially if you consider complex and especially serious violations of the law that are difficult to explain. But it is precisely in such situations that the psychological approach is very important. Often, only having understood 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 you understand what constitutes motivation for criminal behavior. The meaning and types can be better understood if you pay attention to an example.
Truly violent and terrifying crimes are those associated with the savage actions carried out in relation to children. It’s really difficult to understand the reasons why some lawbreakers commit them. It is believed that the prerequisites are mental disorders, often arising from problems associated with the sexual sphere. But it's not always the case. Indeed, there are disorders in people who adore children. They are usually said to be that they would not touch them with their finger. But why then do they do these things?
There is a reason. It is often found that such criminals, while still children, were themselves abused. And the meaning of their violent actions is to eliminate traumatic memories from their own childhood. This is comparable to suicide carried out at the psychological level. Children's injuries themselves “pop up” in the person’s subconscious, and usually are intoxicated, because only then is internal control over the behavior removed.
At the time of the commission of a crime of this kind, in a person the conscious intersects with the unconscious. Two areas that are already in difficult relationships with each other.
What is stored on a subconscious level? Not memories. They are always conscious. At a subconscious level, information about a person’s drives, his sensations and experiences is stored. In most cases, for moral reasons, they are not reflected in the mind. And that is why some people do not go deep into themselves. They are afraid that they will have to face personal “dark companions” - those devils that belong to them. In fact, that is why most criminals do not go to repentance. Since for them this means meeting with their monsters lurking deep down.
Self-serving criminals
This is a whole social category, distinguished by a number of scientists. Which includes the types of criminals of particular interest. They are worth listing.
The first type is affirmative. The criminals related to him commit violations on the basis of reasons that are understood by name. They affirm 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 does not include 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, then they will not stay there for a long time. And theft and other property crimes become their source of income.
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 the means to buy liquor. They are degraded, they lack all sorts of values. The only meaning-generating motive for their behavior is alcohol. The social circle of such persons is appropriate. It includes drinking companions having the same interest. They are always ready to join the company in the process of raising funds for alcohol. Their crimes are primitive - usually these are petty thefts, during which they steal what they immediately sell, without removing traces, and spend the proceeds.
"Players"
These are not all the existing categories. There is a fourth type, called the game. In this case, there is ambiguous motivation for criminal behavior, the concept and structure of which is of particular interest.
The fact is that game-type criminals are constantly in need of risk, thirsty for 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 violators of the law of this type, in addition to hooligans, robbers and robbers, there are especially dangerous persons. Rapists, to be precise. They are attracted by the opportunity to get what they want, eliminating the victim's resistance, which can cause trouble. Such a “situation” 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 the circumstances for their own benefit, 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.
Speaking 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 real extroverts. They are impulsive, active, and even in the most dangerous situations and desperate adventures, fear of a possible exposure is alien to them. This is because it is precisely these feelings that they need. They play with partners and the law, put their lives at stake, risk their freedom. You might think that these people are immortal - they are so desperate.
The second category includes offenders seeking to impress partners. They are artistic, able to instantly adapt to a suddenly changed situation, are able to act plastic. Sensations are necessary for such individuals, but it is even more important to them to receive the status of the leader.
Other types
“Family” is the name of another category of offenders. The individuals related to her are motivated by the family, no matter how it sounds. In most cases, they become bribe takers and robbers. 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 the spouse, children, lovers, dear people. Theft is carried out not so much to satisfy their selfish needs, but to provide for loved ones.
It is also necessary to note the “rejected” type, to which rapists most often belong. It is very important to understand what their motivation and motives for criminal behavior are. Legal psychology believes that no one else applies to the “rejected” type, except for rapists.
These people have serious problems in the field of interpersonal communication. They can be called defective. 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 moral and ethical standards designed to regulate communication between people. But needs do not disappear. Therefore, they satisfy them in socially unacceptable ways, resorting to violence.
Realization of stimulating needs
This is another nuance that includes motivation for criminal behavior. One stimulating need (alcohol) has already been mentioned. Now we will talk about drugs. This need, characteristic of a limited number of individuals, is often the reason why serious offenses were committed.
The motivation for drug-related criminal behavior is understandable to anyone. The 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, drugs end, withdrawal begins. Anxiety, increased anxiety, depression, increased aggression, muscle tension, frantic heartbeat, tremor ... this is not even half of what overcomes an addict at a time 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 for the behavior of such criminals is not one motive, but a whole complex. Often, he also determines the behavior of a serial killer in the commission of another crime. We are talking about the "handwriting" of the offender, which he observes, cracking down on each victim.
Of particular interest is the formation of personal properties that determine the motivation of criminal behavior. Often serial killers seem normal. In society, they wear a “mask” that helps to hide their true essence and form a positive impression among strangers. This is a defense created by the individual himself, which leads to socially approved behavior.
Serial killers have a unique psyche. They never take out accumulating energy gradually. Serial killers splash it out at once, bypassing the conscious and unconscious. That is why many of them cannot remember the details of their deed.
But what makes them kill? Complex issue. Four factors traditionally distinguish reflecting the majority of existing motives. This is sexual aggression (passion), control, domination and manipulation.
The difficulty of concretization lies in the fact that almost all serial killers are alienated. Often they do not admit their guilt, since they have not learned social norms. They know what law they violated, but for what they were punished - the murderers are unclear. Often these individuals are antisocial, maladaptive, aggressive, self-absorbed. If they find themselves in the wild, then most likely they will relapse, since without a compensatory education the identity of the killer cannot be corrected. But the worst 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 something. Such individuals commit particularly serious crimes. Those for which they give several life terms.
Committing an act
Talking about what constitutes a motivation for criminal behavior, it is worth noting another important nuance. Individuals committing atrocities make decisions in completely different psychological conditions.
Some may be simple. A person has time to think, he is not excited and is not in a stressful state. This is most often characteristic of individuals who carefully plan the crime, which ultimately turns out to be prudent and difficult to investigate.
But there are difficult conditions. They are accompanied by a strong excitement, lack of time to think, a conflict situation. It is in such conditions that a crime is committed through negligence. The individual, unable to control himself, gives in to impulse. A lot of murders, violence and beatings occurred precisely in extremely heated conflict situations.
So, after making a decision, the stage of its embodiment in reality begins. Criminogenic motivation plays a really important role here as a cause of criminal behavior. It is from her that the attackers who tune in to commit the offense take their strength, 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 the person prepares the crime. A person asks himself questions and gives answers, convincing himself of the correctness of what was planned and determining further actions: “What am I doing? For what purpose? What do I want to achieve? ” Of course, motives may change, due to rethinking. It happens that people completely abandon the idea of ​​committing an offense. In such situations, the criminogenic motivation, as the cause of criminal behavior, is too weak. Fortunately, of course. This once again confirms that the behavior of a person is determined only by his personality, and not by the current situation. Despite the fact that the cause of the crime is often external circumstances. The situation is only an indicator that demonstrates the personal threshold of a person’s social adaptation.
Mental problems
Often the motivation for criminal behavior is due to anxiety. But this is not an ordinary discomfort with excitement, which in some situations is common to every person. It is about the anxiety underlying criminal behavior.
Not everyone knows that it is this feeling that is most strongly reflected in the physical and spiritual state of a person.Anxiety represents a pointless fear, which is based on sources of threat, often unrecognized even by the individual. They often feel helpless and powerless, unsure of themselves, defenseless. Their behavior is disorganized, its orientation changes. In some situations, it is anxiety that stimulates the desire to commit a crime for its own safety. At such moments, a person begins to feel discomfort and perceive everything around him as a threat.
There is a motivation for criminal behavior. And its mechanism is very specific. Anxiety takes a leading place in the emotional gradation of a person. She begins to determine his perception of everything that happens around him, gives events and people a hostile, alien, negative character. As a result, a person gets out of the control of social control, as his behavior becomes maladaptive. The unconscious aspect comes to the forefront - aggressive and hostile aspirations are formed, as if by themselves. All this 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 - the individual commits a crime in order to preserve his own being, self-worth, and ideas about his place in this world and himself.
In the end
You can still talk a lot about criminal motivation and other psychological features related to this topic. She is really very interesting and extensive. Not without reason even serious scientific works such as a doctoral dissertation are written on this subject.
But even based on the foregoing, one can understand how important the psychological aspect is in the field of forensics. Especially when it comes to serious crimes. Small, “disposable”, rarely represent some kind of complexity, since the reasons for their fulfillment lie on the surface. Often this is just strong emotional excitement and the inability of a person to restrain himself, to 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 public. Unfortunately, they are not rare. And that is scary. After all, we live in the same society, but even have no idea, at times, about who exactly surrounds us.