This document contains summaries of key topics from Chapter 3 of a criminal justice textbook, including free will and moral responsibility, biological and social influences on criminal behavior, territoriality and prison violence, and the implications of free will and determinism on the criminal justice system. It also lists discussion questions about police officer discretion and how soft determinism relates to criminal intent and responsibility.

1. Criminal Justice 2011
Class Name,
Instructor Name
Date, Semester
Chapter 3:
Free Will and
Moral Responsibility

2. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
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MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
• Culpability
• Demonology
• Determinism
• Free Will
2

3. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
CAUSALITY
GANG INVOLVEMENT
3
need
for
identity
need
for
identity
need
for
security
need
for
security
Family
influences
Family
influences
Social
influences
Social
influences
Under
achievement
In school
Under
achievement
In school
family
conflict
family
conflict
low
self-esteem
low
self-esteem
weak
attachment
to parents
weak
attachment
to parents

4. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
HEDONISTIC IMMORALITY
& DEVIANCE
• Curiosity
• Fun – exciting
• Boredom
• Relief from stress or pain
• Building an identity
• Avoid responsibility
• Financial rewards
4

5. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
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HEDONISTIC IMMORALITY
& DEVIANCE
• Obtain non-financial goods
• Earn prestige
• To fit in or stand out
• Fulfill expectations
• Live up to values
• Power over others
5

6. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
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BEHAVIORAL INFLUENCES
Biological, psychological, and sociological
bases of behavior
•Internal Factors
•External Factors
•Psychological Determinism
•Biological Determinism
•Soft Determinism
6

7. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
TERRITORIALITY, CRITICAL MASS,
& PRISON VIOLENCE
If humans react defensively and aggressively to
invasions of personal space:
1.How much does territoriality and critical mass help
account for the problem of prison violence?
2.What implications might this research have for
maintaining control within prisons and jails?
3.What implications are there for establishing humane
conditions within correctional settings?
4.What conditions & moral responsibilities do policy-
makers and prison administrators have for reducing
overcrowding?
7

8. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
FREE WILL, DETERMINISM,
& THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Criminal Responsibility
•Mens rea
•Actus rea
•Crime
Mitigating circumstances
•Justifications
•Excuses
Aggravating circumstances
•Weapons
•Others?
8

9. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
VACCINATING FOR SUBSTANCE USE
• The vaccine is best suited for persons dependent
upon cocaine who are ready to quit
• Is it morally permissible to forcibly administer the
vaccine to persons with cocaine dependencies?
• In cases in which convicted criminals have cocaine
dependencies, could the vaccine be a component
of rehabilitation?
• What moral concerns might be raised if one day we
began vaccinating infants for a variety of illegal drugs
reducing the likelihood that they would one day
become addicted to or dependent upon harmful
substances?
9

10. © 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All Rights Reserved
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Police officers typically are called upon to
exercise discretion when on patrol. Given the
chapter’s observations on choice and free will:
1.In what ways or in what situations might the choices of
officers be constrained?
2.How does the concept of “soft determinism” help us
understand mens rea and criminal responsibility?
10