Description
Question 1: Traits or Learned Behavior
After an event like the Majory Stoneman Douglas school shooting, communities often look for traits, behaviors and warning signs that might have predicted future violent behavior. Using the course content, answer the following questions:
What are some traits, behaviors, and social dynamics that may be correlated with school shooters? Which traits did Nikolas Cruz exhibit?
Do you think violent behavior is learned or is it associated with a specific trait? Describe trait theory and learning theory within your answer.
- Discuss some criticisms of trait theory and why we can’t use the traits as a checklist for arresting teens who may exhibit this behavior?
- Describe the difference between correlation and causation and discuss the role that mental health may/may not play.
- Question 2: Judicial Sentencing
- In the CNN article, the news reporters described some warning signs including verbal threats. Why is it difficult for the police to intervene in a potential crime before it is committed?
Using the Parkland case, go through corpus delicti and explain the elements of a crime, as you understand them.
In this case, the defendant plead guilty. How is this case different from previous cases where guilt needs to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt? What defense excuse could the defense attorneys have used within this case?
- Classify the degree of crime and discuss what the prosecution needs to prove for the defendant to receive the death penalty.
The resource officer may be facing charges for not acting. Explain legal duty and describe why this resource officer may be held liable for not acting.
- Concept Bank:
- Please include the following concepts within your answer:
- Correlation
- Causation
Trait theories of crime
Mental illness and crime
Learning theory
- Corpus delicti
- Degrees of crime
- Legal duty
- Excuse defenses
- Parkland Shooting Suspect: A Story Of Red Flags, Ignored : NPR
- Jurors Shown Parkland School Shooter’s Online Comments – NBC 6 South Florida (nbcmiami.com)
- Parkland shooting: Florida judge says case against former school resource officer Scot Peterson can go to trial | CNN
