What internal [Esoteric] dynamics within an individual causes that individual to engage in criminal behavior?

Question

Please be specific relative to causal factors and the process by which these manifest themselvers in such behavior.... and please note I am asking about the "internal dynamics".

Answer 1

You know, it could be something as simple as the lack of love, which is a powerful stimuli.

Answer 2

I guess that would depend on what type of criminal behavior you are referring to. Let's take theft as an example. Motivating factors could be:

1. A need for money to support a drug habit
2. The thrill of getting away with it
3. A psycological need to steal (kleptomania)
4. Just 'gotta have it'

??????

Answer 3

Everthing that we do,the way we act, the way we Handel situations is a product of the way we were brought up, the environment we were in, and the type of neighborhood we grow put in.

Answer 4

"My dear docjp, I feel compelled , here at the beginning, to describe my initial impressions of you, as a result of reading your sentence construction and postscript.
The "Esoteric" perspective, in your context means the "inner" (eso-), in a sense of the inner consciousness (mind and spiritual), wisdom perspective, as opposed to the "outer" (exo-) "Exoteric" ... the outer or surface of everyday consciousness. There are two, not just one perspective of internal dynamics ... so you didn't go quite far enough to define your dynamics.
Don't be angry with me ... please. Your question is too important to go unexamined. In fact, I am overwhelmed at your candor and your voluntary transparency. I choose to reciprocate.
There are both internal and external dynamics to consider.
"Esoteric knowledge" has become that which is complex and difficult to grasp except by the few who are more perceptive or aware. In this sense, esoteric knowledge often implies an inner or self-reflective wisdom absent from external knowledge.
It is with this specific part of the sentence, "self-reflective wisdom absent from external knowledge" which seperates (in my opinion) the criminal mind from the normal.
Internally, the criminal mind is aware of good and bad. Even the criminal mind has the opportunity to decide, by free will, actions which reflect his/her self-interests and that of society; however, there is a large quantity of evidence, that the criminal's sole determinant of his/her actions, is his/her self-interests.
The criminal has little or no internal or external "boundaries." The forensic and social evidence is overwhelming.
Many criminals demonstrate significant external social skills that enable them to operate within the confines of the greater population without detection for long periods of time. Of course, in this technical society which is quickly evolving, it will become more difficult for the criminal to hide (they can still run). In addition, there are always criminals that are so adaptive they never get caught. They are smart and part of the global community in politics, law-enforcment, finance, banking, insurance and government (I fear these kinds).
The pattern for criminal behavior starts most in early adolescense. It's a remarkably similar pattern with easily recognizable symptoms. Many internalize their personalities and become isolated from parents. Many times these isolated adolescents find others of their kind, They have tendencies to prey upon one another as well as innocent victims to make what they feel are significant gains of goods and services. They way they think, which is patterned in adolescence, evolves to evermore elaborate attempts to gain power.
Samenow, in his book, "Inside the Criminal Mind" has the best viewpoint: He does not believe that criminals do not know right from wrong, he does not believe they are "helpless" victims of oppressive social conditions. Among other myths, he does not believe that crime is contagious, that crimes of passion qualify as temporary insanity, that people turn criminal because they were rejected by society, or that watching violent television programs automatically "creates" violent psychopathic behaviour in children.
Basically, his viewpoint, kindled by the studies of Dr. Yochelson, who wrote various books about criminals, is that antisocials, i.e. psychopaths or "criminals," are basically a product of their thinking and that their thinking is very different from that of the average person. They are not like normal people and were basically born that way, probably due to genetics, since he also writes that psychopathy seems to be hereditary.
Samenow basically thinks that a criminal (i.e. antisocial personality or psychopath) should see himself "for the rotten person he is", and that the criminal must be indundated with fear and guilt. It is only by feeling fear and guilt that he may be able to change. The "criminal" also needs to curb the tendency to act out when the world doesn't "suit" him. He must grow so utterly fed-up with himself, and be in a vulnerable situation so that he is forced to want to change. He must not demand fair play but treat others shabbily, nor can he blame others. He must stop blaming anyone or anything for the choices he makes. It is not his self-esteem which needs building, as he already thinks of himself as superior. He must choose to do good, and must acquire moral values. Also, for those who work with "criminals" it is necessary to know how they think.

Another interesting point Samenow makes is that the "criminal" personality enjoys having power over people, and, like Guggenbuhl-Craig, he believes they seek out positions of power because it is desirable for him/her to view people as pieces on a chessboard to "move at will."

In conclusion, I can't help but wonder in awe at Samenow's work. I could have decided to lie, cheat and steal, I had a choice to do whatever I wanted. We ALL do. I feel "happy" that I decided on a more healthy road to travel."