Theories of Cybercrime

Overview of Theories of Cybercrime in relation to cyber crime: [1]Beginning in the nineteenth century new scientific methods led to discoveries having to do with trait theory. This group of theories basically argues that people commit crimes because of their biological and/or psychological characteristics, rather than moral choices they make about what is right versus wrong and whether or not to obey societal laws. Notions that a person may be genetically predisposed or may experience uncontrollable impulses to behave in irrational, violent, or otherwise harmful ways is rooted in concepts of trait theories. Today the concept of so-called ”Internet addiction” is based on the belief that people can become excessively aroused by playing computer games or engaging in other online activities to an extent that is harmful to themselves.

Resources

Notes and References

1. By Samuel C. McQuade, III

Akers, R.L. (1998). Social learning and social structure: A general theory of crime and deviance. Boston: Northeastern University Press; Jacoby, J.E. (ed.). (1994). Classics of criminology (2nd ed.). Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.; McQuade, S.C. (2006). Theories of IT-enabled abuse and crime. In Understanding and managing cybercrime (Chap. 5). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.; Rogers, M.K. (2001). A social learning theory and moral disengagement analysis of criminal computer behavior: An exploratory study. PhD diss., University of Manitoba, Winnepeg Manitoba, Canada. Available at https://homes.cerias.purdue.edu/~mkr/cybercrime-thesis.pdf; Schmalleger, F. (2004). Criminology today: An integrative introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson–Prentice Hall; Siegel, L.J. (2000). Criminology (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing; Skinner, W.F., & Fream, A.M. (1997). A social learning theory analysis of computer crime among college students. The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 34(4), 495–519.

Theories of Cybercrime

Theories of Cybercrime