Discussion

WEEK 1: AT A GLANCE LEARNING TO BE A CRIMINAL—SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL

THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Week 1 of CRJS 4102: The Criminal Mind.

This week is the first of four in which you will examine theories that answer the question “Why do people commit crimes?” You begin, this week, by focusing on social and behavioral theories of criminal behavior. The basic premise of these theories is that humans are born as a blank slate —with no inherent tendencies or urges to commit crimes—and it is only through their interaction with the environment that they learn to commit crimes.

Social and behavioral theories provide only one perspective of many for why people commit crimes. In subsequent weeks, you will explore cognitive, psychological, and biological theories that also account for criminal behavior.

Note: In Weeks 1–4, there is a five-question Check for Understanding Quiz, which you may take as many times as you would like between Day 1 and Day 7. You are encouraged to take the Check for Understanding Quiz at the beginning of the week to self-assess what you may already know and what you still need to learn about theories of criminal behavior. You may then take the Check for Understanding Quiz again at the end of the week, after you have read all of the Learning Resources.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will:

Analyze causes of criminal behavior

DISCUSSION 1 DISCUSSION 2 QUIZ RESOURCES WEEK IN REVIEW

10/14/26, 7:48 PM Week 1: At a Glance: The Criminal Mind-Fall 2026

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/pages/week-1-at-a-glance?module_item_id=10867980 1/2

Evaluate the extent to which criminal behavior is learned Apply social and behavioral concepts and theories of criminal behavior

10/14/26, 7:48 PM Week 1: At a Glance: The Criminal Mind-Fall 2026

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/pages/week-1-at-a-glance?module_item_id=10867980 2/2

WEEK 1: AT A GLANCE LEARNING TO BE A CRIMINAL—SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL

THEORIES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Week 1 of CRJS 4102: The Criminal Mind.

This week is the first of four in which you will examine theories that answer the question “Why do people commit crimes?” You begin, this week, by focusing on social and behavioral theories of criminal behavior. The basic premise of these theories is that humans are born as a blank slate —with no inherent tendencies or urges to commit crimes—and it is only through their interaction with the environment that they learn to commit crimes.

Social and behavioral theories provide only one perspective of many for why people commit crimes. In subsequent weeks, you will explore cognitive, psychological, and biological theories that also account for criminal behavior.

Note: In Weeks 1–4, there is a five-question Check for Understanding Quiz, which you may take as many times as you would like between Day 1 and Day 7. You are encouraged to take the Check for Understanding Quiz at the beginning of the week to self-assess what you may already know and what you still need to learn about theories of criminal behavior. You may then take the Check for Understanding Quiz again at the end of the week, after you have read all of the Learning Resources.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will:

Analyze causes of criminal behavior

DISCUSSION 1 DISCUSSION 2 QUIZ RESOURCES WEEK IN REVIEW

10/14/26, 7:48 PM Week 1: At a Glance: The Criminal Mind-Fall 2026

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/pages/week-1-at-a-glance?module_item_id=10867980 1/2

Evaluate the extent to which criminal behavior is learned Apply social and behavioral concepts and theories of criminal behavior

10/14/26, 7:48 PM Week 1: At a Glance: The Criminal Mind-Fall 2026

https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/249276/pages/week-1-at-a-glance?module_item_id=10867980 2/2