Assignment:
Scenario: Desperate Times Require Desperate Measures, Right?
Are there conditions under which you would consider it justifiable to commit a crime? How about theft? For example, you find yourself out of money and in need of food for yourself and three young children. You just moved into town and don't have any friends yet and no family. Your last paycheck was used for rent and moving expenses. Now you have no money left for food and the kids are hungry and one is crying. All you need is a few staples like bread, milk, and eggs. You know you will pay the store back later. So, you simply place the few food items in your tote bag and walk out of the store. In this case, does the end justify the means?
Identify the case that you selected and give a brief summary. Would the crime described in your case study be categorized as expressive or instrumental or a dichotomy of the two. Explain your reasoning. What influencing factors may have contributed to the subject's crime or criminal behavior? How might the subject have rationalized his or her behavior? Explain what may lead one person to commit a crime while another person with a similar background does not. Would you have behaved in a similar way? Why, or why not?