Criminology

In the last fifty years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people using computers and the internet all over the world. While developing countries have predictably trailed their developed counterparts in the development and use of computer technology, the number of people depending on computers and the technology in both the developed and developing world has increased progressively.

Not surprisingly, some criminals now commit low- and high-profile computer crimes, targeting computer and internet users. Every year, millions of US dollars are lost to computer criminals (Fusilier  Penrod, 2009). Like all other forms of crimes, computer crimes have been explained on the basis of a wide range of theories of crime. The appropriateness of each theory varies, rendering it impractical to rely wholly on any one theory to explain the now widespread phenomenon. This paper discusses the extent to which the rational choice theory and psychological theories explain the actions of these high-tech criminals.

Rational choice theory
At the heart of this theory is the idea that people, whether as individuals or in a group, make the choice to commit crimes. Unlike other theories which argue that criminal tendencies develop from observing others, peoples biological heritage and psychological status, this theory views the decision to engage in crime as a rational choice (Ward, Stafford  Gray, 2006). Before committing a crime, an individual evaluates the benefit associated with the outcome of the intended crime in the light of the cost of committing the same. The possibility of benefits of a crime outweighing the cost of committing it makes a decision to commit the crime rational.

Computer criminals possess high-end skills and are very intelligent. Most target large organizations including military departments and multi-national corporations. While there may not be much financial reward for breaking into military systems unless the information is meant to be sold to other couuntries or criminals, targeting trans-national corporations can be very rewarding financially. Whether the criminals drain the corporations coffers and divert the monies to their accounts or the information is sold to rival companies, the criminals can earn millions of US dollars within a very short time. Due to the constraints of time, ability and the availability of relevant information, computer criminals sometimes end up overestimating the benefitting or understating the expected cost due to (Hayward, 2007).

Psychological theories
The principal argument of psychological theories of crime is that people commit crimes because they are psychologically unfit and therefore they have little or no control over the choices they make. Psychopaths or people suffering from anti-social personality disorder tend to have little regard for the rights and welfare of others and are therefore most likely to lead lives characterized by violence and crime.

Some computer criminals are motivated, not really by the financial reward they expect, but by the uncontrollable urge to commit a crime. The roots of this urge can often be traced back to abuse or molestation in childhood or in adulthood. Psychologically disturbed individuals with sharp computer skills identify targets and set to commit e-crimes sometimes to only interrupt the operations of the target. Psychological instability is occasionally used in defence in court when the criminals are apprehended and taken to court.

Conclusion
No one theory of crime is sufficient to explain wholly the diversity of incentives available to computer criminals all over the world. The truth is that these criminals are motivated by very different forces and blanket analyses and conclusions can be erroneous. As this paper shows however, the rational choice and psychological theories can explain why some computer criminals commit engage in criminal behaviour.