Writing Assignment 1

Part 1:

The first part of this assignment is to watch the following YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8LgWNjsfDo

If this link does not work, then search on YouTube for the video “2 cousins, Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz, facing charges over 4 Bucks County killings”

AND

Read the following article: “Did quad bike accident turn troubled rich kid into mass killer?”

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/did-quad-bike-accident-turn-troubled-rich-kid-into-mass-killer/news-story/9de77bc20562e1f8169f3b6a60129199

Part 2: 

There is much debate over the causes of criminal behavior. Scholars have long debated over whether people who engage in criminal behavior do so because of several reasons such as (1) rational choice decision making or (2) biological factors. The case of Cosmo DiNardo is no exception. Cosmo DiNardo killed four young men and there is still speculation over why this occurred. 

In 2-3 pages, take a stance on which explanation (1) rational choice explanations or (2) biological explanations caused the behavior of Cosmo DiNardo. Choose which explanation you think best explains his behavior.

1. Explain your explanation of choice in detail. 
   1. What are the assumptions of human nature?
   2. What are the key components of the explanation?
2. Discuss how the explanation can be used to explain Cosmo DiNardo’s behavior
   1. Give at least 1 example of how 
   2. You can speculate as to how the rationale applies. For example, if you chose the rational choice explanation, you could say things he may have considered in the cost-benefit analysis, even if this is not explicitly stated in the article. The same holds for the biological explanation. Use what you know about the explanation and explain how it may be relevant.

*Note: Remember that you should take a stance and stick to the explanation you choose.