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What Propels Sexual Murderers: A Proposed Integrated Theory of Social Learning and Routine Activities Theories

NCJ Number
234945
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 55 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2011 Pages: 228-250
Author(s)
Heng Choon Chan; Kathleen M. Heide; Eric Beauregard
Date Published
April 2011
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper constructs a conceptual offending framework based on social learning theory and routine activities theory to explain why offenders commit sexual murders.
Abstract
Despite the great interest in the study of sexual homicide, little is known about the processes involved in an individual's becoming motivated to sexually kill, deciding to sexually kill, and acting on that desire, intention, and opportunity. To date, no comprehensive model of sexual murdering from the offending perspective has been proposed in the criminological literature. This article incorporates the works of Akers and Cohen and Felson regarding their social learning theory and routine activities theory, respectively, to construct an integrated conceptual offending framework in sexual homicide. This integrated model produces a stronger and more comprehensive explanation of sexual murder than any single theory currently available. (Published Abstract)