Criminal Behavior

The major I propose is “Criminal Behavior,” an interdisciplinary approach to crime and its prevention, through the study of criminal behavior specifically. Law-defying behavior does not stem from a void, there are many reasons for its presence in our society, and I believe that with the proper educational background, I can eventually work on identifying these causes and eliminating them.

When I first came to the University of Connecticut, I enrolled as a Psychological Sciences major as I felt it would best guide me towards my future goals. However, when I discovered the Individualized Major Program, I realized that I could supplement my valuable experiences with psychology in the form of a double major that encapsulated the aspects of crime that fall outside of my current study’s scope. I believe that a single discipline is not the most effective approach to solving such a wide and varied problem which is why I believe IMJR is perfect for me. Many see criminal behavior as purely a result of environmental factors, others believe it is the result of mental disorders, even more attribute it to the result of unalterable genetics; far fewer take a holistic approach as I intend to do. Crime is a complex act and therefore attempts to understand it need to be just as, if not more, complex.

I believe criminal behavior should be approached from a psychosocial perspective, a model that studies the influence of psychological and social factors on its development. In order to achieve this, I have created a plan of study that incorporates these different aspects through a variety of fields. As a Psychological Sciences major, I know that psychological disorders are often referenced as having a correlational relationship with criminal behavior, so by taking Abnormal Psychology, I will learn about a variety of the most common disorders and their connection to deviant behavior. Additionally, Principles of Research in Psychology will help me understand the methodology of research in the psychological fields, allowing me to build a strong foundation for further exploration. Sociology of Mental Illness will provide a broader understanding of mental illness, not just from a psychological perspective but a sociological one, so I can see how it is actually dealt with in society, outside of the lab or therapist’s office. Furthermore, the family unit is one of the leading determinants of future criminality, so in taking Family Interaction Processes and Risk and Resilience in Individuals and Families, I can learn about the ways members interact with each other, both positively and negatively, and how they enable each other to overcome or succumb to different hardships. Women, Gender, and Crime will help me understand the many reasons gendered violence may occur, especially since it is a senselessly large proportion of crime both nationally and globally. While Drugs and Society is technically a sociology course, its emphasis on the biological effects of drugs and their consequences on society gives it a unique interdisciplinary perspective that is often overlooked and also allows me insight into one of the most influential factors of criminal behavior. Class, Power, and Inequality and Introduction to Urban and Community Studies will guide me in understanding some of the socioeconomic factors that may contribute to criminality. Criminology will give me an introduction to the subject from a sociological approach and a sturdy basis of knowledge, especially in understanding the current theories and research in the field. Politics of Crime and Justice will explain the connection between politics, laws, and administration, which is important in determining the parameters of what is even considered criminal behavior. Finally, the Capstone Course will help me summarize all that I have learned throughout my varied and interdisciplinary studies through a research paper that allows me to demonstrate my newly acquired knowledge.

As a current Psychological Sciences major, I believe adding my Criminal Behavior major to my college career will be extraordinarily beneficial in giving me a wide breadth of experience in my desired fields. I also think it will complement my Spanish minor as my knowledge of the language and various Spanish-speaking cultures will allow me to help more people. In the remaining semesters I have at UConn, I intend on participating in several programs to help me make use of my studies. I am planning on studying abroad in the UK; I think this will be enlightening because although our countries may not necessarily share the same problems or crime-inducing factors, I believe people stay too focused on their own communities and fail to examine the research developing elsewhere. We may not have the same experiences but perhaps something working for one country may work for the other, or even the opposite where something that doesn’t work for one may work for another. I am also working towards completing research on psychological disorders and their societal consequences with faculty in the psychology department as well as getting an internship. I have been looking into the Storrs Police Department or even the state’s Judicial Branch for potential positions. With my majors, I believe that I have many opportunities that I would not have had otherwise, and I plan on making full use of them. After earning my bachelor’s degree I intend on going to graduate school for my masters degree in a field related to my current studies. And while I don’t yet know exactly where I want to work, I am keeping my experiences and ambitions close to my heart and so I hope I will eventually work somewhere that I can make a difference in the lives of many through the criminal justice system. Whether this takes the form of working with convicted offenders, creating deterrent programs for youth, or something beyond what I am currently able to fathom, I will strive to make the world safer for us, for generations yet to be, and in memory of those we’ve lost along the way.