NCJ Number
40490
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS LEARNED JUST AS ANY OTHER BEHAVIOR IS LEARNED AND PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PATHOLOGIES PLAY NO ESSENTIAL PART IN THE CAUSATION OF CRIME.
Abstract
THIS THESIS CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED BY A STUDY OF THE VIOLATION OF LAW BY BUSINESSMEN. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORDED WHITE COLLAR VIOLATIONS OF 70 LARGE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CORPORATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES REVEALS A TOTAL OF 980 ADVERSE DECISIONS IN THE AREAS OF RESTRAINT OF TRADE, REBATES, UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES, MISREPRESENTATION OF ADVERTISING, AND INFRINGEMENT OF PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND TRADEMARKS. NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT OF THE CORPORATIONS WERE RECIDIVISTS, HAVING TWO OR MORE ADVERSE DECISIONS AGAINST THEM. ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR BY THE CORPORATIONS IS MUCH MORE PREVALENT THAN THE PROSECUTIONS INDICATE, RESULTING IN A FEW CORPORATIONS BEING PROSECUTED FOR BEHAVIOR WHICH IS INDUSTRY-WIDE. THEREFORE, THE IDEAL BUSINESSMAN AND THE LARGE CORPORATION ARE VERY MUCH LIKE THE PROFESSIONAL THIEF. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT A BUSINESSMAN HAS A GREATER INTEREST IN STATUS AND RESPECTABILITY AND THEREFORE DOES NOT THINK OF HIMSELF AS A CRIMINAL OR LAWBREAKER....ELW