Motives
Motives play a crucial role in understanding human behavior, particularly in the context of criminal actions. They are often tied to the concept of mens rea, or criminal intent, which is essential for establishing whether a crime has occurred. Behavioral scientists view motivation as a key factor in activating learned responses, which may indicate whether motivation serves as a primary driver of behavior or merely a contributing factor. Unlike emotions, which may lack a specific direction, motives are characterized by their focused intent, guiding individuals toward particular actions.
Sources of motivation can be diverse, including both external stimuli, such as the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain, as well as social factors, like the desire to emulate role models or participate in community activities. In criminal investigations, understanding an offender's motives can provide insights into the reasons behind specific crimes, helping authorities assess the context and intent of the actions. This assessment process generally involves identifying the immediate triggers for the behavior and the broader reasons that might inform it. Overall, motives are an integral aspect of human behavior, influencing decisions and actions across various contexts.
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Motives
SIGNIFICANCE: Most criminal behavior is considered to have mens rea, or criminal intent. When no criminal intent is present, there is usually no crime. Behavioral scientists tie intent closely to motivation, so identifying offenders’ motives is a key element of establishing their criminal intent. However, while establishing motives can help prosecutors win convictions, it is not an essential part of the process.
Theorists who study motivation have come to think of it as part of all learned responses. Motivation thus activates learned responses. The importance of motivation is still being studied as behavioral scientists try to learn if it is a primary force in behavior or is merely a contributor. Motivation is not considered generally to be an emotion. Emotion does not have an inherent directedness, but motivation does have directedness, that is, it is the reason for or force behind behaviors.
Motivation arises from many sources of human existence. Sources include external behavioral stimuli. The most basic external stimuli are pleasure and avoidance of pain. Social sources include the satisfaction of imitating role models or being integral parts of social activities.
When police seek motives for criminal actions, they usually try to identify the precipitating reasons for specific crimes or series of crimes. As a type of explanation of criminal behavior, motivation requires that the behavior in question is being held up for assessment (as in police investigation). Second, the underlying reasons or ends toward which the behavior is directed are sought. Third, a motivation must, in police cases, explain this particular behavior, not all behavior.
Bibliography
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Franken, R. Human Motivation. Pacific Grove: Brooks, 1994. Print.
Hickey, Eric W. Serial Murderers and Their Victims. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1997. Print.
Jensen, Kiersten. "Is Motive Required for Criminal Intent?" Nolo, 15 Mar. 2022, www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/is-motive-required-criminal-offense.html. Accessed 7 July 2024.
Lillyquist, Michael J. Understanding and Changing Criminal Behavior. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice, 1980. Print.