Identify one imaginary criminal act, such as stealing a mobile phone or bike, selling drugs, or burglary.

Now show how it could be analysed using Taylor’s framework.

  1. What are the wider origins of the act (for example, economic or social circumstances)?
  2. What are the immediate origins of the act (why the person decided to commit it)?
  3. Why this act rather than another?
  4. What social reactions might result immediately from family, education or social control agents?
  5. What are the wider origins of these reactions?
  6. How might these reactions affect the person’s future behaviour?