Jack Katz Seductionsof Crime

Seductions of CrimeSeductions of Crime JackJack
KatzKatz
Ch. 1 Righteous SlaughterCh. 1 Righteous Slaughter
 People murder to defend what they believePeople murder to defend what they believe
is “good”is “good”
 In this way, they justify their actions (atIn this way, they justify their actions (at
least at the moment they act)least at the moment they act)
 Murderers also justify their actions if theyMurderers also justify their actions if they
feel their property rights have been violatedfeel their property rights have been violated

KatzKatz
 overall, these murders emerge quickly, areoverall, these murders emerge quickly, are
fiercely impassioned, and are conducted with anfiercely impassioned, and are conducted with an
indifference to legal consequencesindifference to legal consequences
 these murderers are unaffected by swift, certain,these murderers are unaffected by swift, certain,
and severe punishment (Classical theory)and severe punishment (Classical theory)
 most murders lack premeditationmost murders lack premeditation
 most murderers make no attempt to escape andmost murderers make no attempt to escape and
are quickly apprehendedare quickly apprehended

KatzKatz
 How these murders occur?How these murders occur?
 1. The would-be-killer interprets that the1. The would-be-killer interprets that the
victim is attacking what he regards as anvictim is attacking what he regards as an
eternal human value and that the situationeternal human value and that the situation
requires a last stand in defense of his basicrequires a last stand in defense of his basic
worth.worth.

KatzKatz
 a majority of murders occur at home or ata majority of murders occur at home or at
recreational activities.recreational activities.
 people are able to walk away from conflicts atpeople are able to walk away from conflicts at
work; conflicts at home are harder to walk awaywork; conflicts at home are harder to walk away
fromfrom
 also, there are much greater emotionalalso, there are much greater emotional
investments at homeinvestments at home
 recreational places are often places of lastrecreational places are often places of last
resort escape from other spheres of liferesort escape from other spheres of life

KatzKatz
 2. The would-be-killer then transforms2. The would-be-killer then transforms
what he initially senses as humiliation intowhat he initially senses as humiliation into
rage. Doing this blinds the killer to hisrage. Doing this blinds the killer to his
future. It forges a momentary sense offuture. It forges a momentary sense of
eternal unity with the “good”eternal unity with the “good”

KatzKatz
 First, people who become enraged create theirFirst, people who become enraged create their
own emotionsown emotions
 Then, they allow themselves to be seduced byThen, they allow themselves to be seduced by
their emotions in order to act out violentlytheir emotions in order to act out violently
 Similar to the sociology of emotionsSimilar to the sociology of emotions
 Humiliation becomes rage when a personHumiliation becomes rage when a person
senses that the way to resolve humiliation is tosenses that the way to resolve humiliation is to
turn on its sourceturn on its source
 The goal may not be to kill, but to obliterate theThe goal may not be to kill, but to obliterate the
source of frustrationsource of frustration

KatzKatz
 3. The would-be-killer organizes his3. The would-be-killer organizes his
behavior to implement a particularbehavior to implement a particular
project. The project honors what the killerproject. The project honors what the killer
suffered through violence. If deathsuffered through violence. If death
results, it comes as a sacrificial slaughter.results, it comes as a sacrificial slaughter.

Seductions of CrimeSeductions of Crime Jack KatzJack Katz
 the victim’s death is not a necessarythe victim’s death is not a necessary
concern of the offenderconcern of the offender
 through violence the offender defines andthrough violence the offender defines and
defends his respectabilitydefends his respectability

KatzKatz
Ch.2 Sneaky ThrillsCh.2 Sneaky Thrills
 not many criminological theories attemptnot many criminological theories attempt
to explain female criminalityto explain female criminality
 models that have been used are crimemodels that have been used are crime
specificspecific
 the highest number of property crimesthe highest number of property crimes
committed by women are shopliftingcommitted by women are shoplifting
offensesoffenses

KatzKatz
 Boosters- professional shoplifters; steal forBoosters- professional shoplifters; steal for
the money, frequently “fencing” the itemsthe money, frequently “fencing” the items
 Snitches- amateurs or occasionalSnitches- amateurs or occasional
shoplifters; steal on impulse or if theshoplifters; steal on impulse or if the
opportunity presents itselfopportunity presents itself
 There is little proof for kleptomania (aThere is little proof for kleptomania (a
neurotic compulsion to steal)neurotic compulsion to steal)

KatzKatz
 occasional shoplifters steal foroccasional shoplifters steal for
excitement or on a dareexcitement or on a dare
 it is also possible that all shopliftersit is also possible that all shoplifters
experience this “thrill”experience this “thrill”

KatzKatz
 Three phases to shoplifting:Three phases to shoplifting:
 1. Generating the experience of being1. Generating the experience of being
seduced to shopliftseduced to shoplift
 potential shoplifters often don’t know exactlypotential shoplifters often don’t know exactly
what they are going to stealwhat they are going to steal
 they are attracted or drawn to particular objectsthey are attracted or drawn to particular objects
(almost a mystical attraction)(almost a mystical attraction)
 shoplifting is shopping without moneyshoplifting is shopping without money
 people are also seduced by how easy it wouldpeople are also seduced by how easy it would
be to steal the itembe to steal the item

KatzKatz
 2. Reconquering ones fears in an effort to2. Reconquering ones fears in an effort to
produce normal appearancesproduce normal appearances
 the shoplifter must be on guard that theythe shoplifter must be on guard that they
are not being watched or followedare not being watched or followed
 they must also be careful not to actthey must also be careful not to act
suspiciouslysuspiciously
 they must act like they are shopliftingthey must act like they are shoplifting
when they are stealingwhen they are stealing

KatzKatz
 3. The euphoric thrill of accomplishment3. The euphoric thrill of accomplishment
 what has been stolen is of less importance thanwhat has been stolen is of less importance than
the psychological boost the accomplishmentthe psychological boost the accomplishment
bringsbrings
 often the item is discarded or given away; theseoften the item is discarded or given away; these
shoplifters do not develop deviant identities; willshoplifters do not develop deviant identities; will
stop if caughtstop if caught
 career shoplifters consider being caught thecareer shoplifters consider being caught the
price one must payprice one must pay

KatzKatz
 For various reasons, shoplifting can beFor various reasons, shoplifting can be
particularly attractive to adolescentsparticularly attractive to adolescents
 Also, the role of social class andAlso, the role of social class and
shoplifting is not clear cutshoplifting is not clear cut
 both poor and wealthy people steal;both poor and wealthy people steal;
stealing is not always for monetarystealing is not always for monetary
purposespurposes

KatzKatz
Ch.3 Ways of the BadassCh.3 Ways of the Badass
The process of becoming a badass or adolescentThe process of becoming a badass or adolescent
tough guy willing to use violence:tough guy willing to use violence:
 1. He must appear tough and unwilling to be1. He must appear tough and unwilling to be
changed or dominated by the opinions of others.changed or dominated by the opinions of others.
He must appear to be in command of situationsHe must appear to be in command of situations
and unwilling to back down.and unwilling to back down.

KatzKatz
 may be accomplished in many waysmay be accomplished in many ways
 dress: leather or black clothing, heavydress: leather or black clothing, heavy
boots, metal adornments, darkboots, metal adornments, dark
sunglassessunglasses
 language use or lack thereof; silence islanguage use or lack thereof; silence is
important, so are profanitiesimportant, so are profanities
 doesn’t make eye contact, greets othersdoesn’t make eye contact, greets others
with a punch or slap, etc.with a punch or slap, etc.

KatzKatz
 2. He must appear alien and not part of civilized2. He must appear alien and not part of civilized
society. His dress, demeanor, and behaviorsociety. His dress, demeanor, and behavior
must reflect this. His presence must bemust reflect this. His presence must be
unnerving for others.unnerving for others.
 body language (walking postures) are importantbody language (walking postures) are important
 tattoos and body piercingstattoos and body piercings
 graffiti writings demonstrate an alien presencegraffiti writings demonstrate an alien presence

KatzKatz
 3. He must appear mean; willing to back up3. He must appear mean; willing to back up
his meanness with violence if necessary. Hehis meanness with violence if necessary. He
can’t fly off the handle and risk beingcan’t fly off the handle and risk being
labeled a “punk”labeled a “punk”
 others must simply believe that physicalothers must simply believe that physical
violence is imminentviolence is imminent
 must appear as being irrational in theirmust appear as being irrational in their
commitment to violence, when they aren’tcommitment to violence, when they aren’t

KatzKatz
 1. “soulful chaos”1. “soulful chaos”
 Attempt to convince others that theirAttempt to convince others that their
violent presence represents chaos; take aviolent presence represents chaos; take a
sadistic pleasure in violencesadistic pleasure in violence
 2. “paraphernalia of purposiveness”2. “paraphernalia of purposiveness”
 Knives, guns, etc.Knives, guns, etc.

KatzKatz
 Weapon/No WeaponWeapon/No Weapon
 Between 1979 and 1991, almost 400,000 youthBetween 1979 and 1991, almost 400,000 youth
aged 15-19 died as the result of firearmsaged 15-19 died as the result of firearms
 In 1991 the offender was armed in 67% ofIn 1991 the offender was armed in 67% of
serious violent crimesserious violent crimes
 4 times as many juveniles were killed with a gun4 times as many juveniles were killed with a gun
in 1994 than in 1984. Guns now account for 82%in 1994 than in 1984. Guns now account for 82%
of homicides by juveniles.of homicides by juveniles.

KatzKatz
 3. “mind fucking”3. “mind fucking”
 Use of the phrase “fuck you” expressesUse of the phrase “fuck you” expresses
the badass’s attitude towards othersthe badass’s attitude towards others
 The “bump”– can be an excuse to initiateThe “bump”– can be an excuse to initiate
violenceviolence
 ““whachulookinat”– even unobtrusivewhachulookinat”– even unobtrusive
invasion of space may be consideredinvasion of space may be considered
legitimate grounds for reprisallegitimate grounds for reprisal

KatzKatz
Ch.4 Street ElitesCh.4 Street Elites
 Being a tough guy is one way gangBeing a tough guy is one way gang
members demonstrate they are “bad” tomembers demonstrate they are “bad” to
themselves and othersthemselves and others
 The major problem teen gangs face isThe major problem teen gangs face is
being taken seriouslybeing taken seriously
 These youth may have conflicting roles onThese youth may have conflicting roles on
the street and at homethe street and at home

KatzKatz
 Lower-class gang behavior is muchLower-class gang behavior is much
different from middle-class gang behaviordifferent from middle-class gang behavior
 Punks come from the middle-class butPunks come from the middle-class but
deny their roots; they adopt lower-classdeny their roots; they adopt lower-class
dress, etc. but deny the territorydress, etc. but deny the territory
 Turf wars have escalated with an increaseTurf wars have escalated with an increase
in crack dealingin crack dealing

KatzKatz
 Middle-class kids deny their higher statusMiddle-class kids deny their higher status
and adopt lower-class street behaviorand adopt lower-class street behavior
 Lower-class gang member considerLower-class gang member consider
themselves elites (Knights, Kings)themselves elites (Knights, Kings)
 Middle-class gangs are more likely toMiddle-class gangs are more likely to
include girls whereas lower-class gangsinclude girls whereas lower-class gangs
are almost all maleare almost all male

KatzKatz
 Ghetto gangs are a major reason suchGhetto gangs are a major reason such
neighborhoods are so dangerousneighborhoods are so dangerous
 Kids join gangs to protect themselvesKids join gangs to protect themselves
from gangsfrom gangs
 Violence is a way of showing elite statusViolence is a way of showing elite status

KatzKatz
 Gangs as childlikeGangs as childlike
 They stick to their own neighborhoodsThey stick to their own neighborhoods
 Turf wars suggest child-like king-of-the-hillTurf wars suggest child-like king-of-the-hill
gamesgames
 Graffiti are used to mark territoryGraffiti are used to mark territory

KatzKatz
Ch.5-7 Robbery as LearnedCh.5-7 Robbery as Learned
 Explains the persistence of robbery (stick-up) asExplains the persistence of robbery (stick-up) as
learned behaviorlearned behavior
 Persistent robbers cannot be called professionalPersistent robbers cannot be called professional
criminals; their robberies result in little moneycriminals; their robberies result in little money
and they don’t improve their technique with ageand they don’t improve their technique with age
or experienceor experience

KatzKatz
 Robbery cannot be equated with extremeRobbery cannot be equated with extreme
poverty or lack of opportunity to obtain moneypoverty or lack of opportunity to obtain money
another wayanother way
 Katz discounts drug addiction models; there areKatz discounts drug addiction models; there are
other ways to get money at a lower riskother ways to get money at a lower risk
 Most robbers also commit other crimesMost robbers also commit other crimes
(burglary, drug sales, etc.)(burglary, drug sales, etc.)
 The thrill of robbery often makes it difficult forThe thrill of robbery often makes it difficult for
people to stoppeople to stop

KatzKatz
 Robbery requires more “skill” and gutsRobbery requires more “skill” and guts
than muggingthan mugging
 Muggers want to grab a persons valuablesMuggers want to grab a persons valuables
and quickly get awayand quickly get away
 Robbers declare their intentions to theRobbers declare their intentions to the
victimvictim
 They must appear threatening andThey must appear threatening and
committed to the use of violence ifcommitted to the use of violence if
necessarynecessary

KatzKatz
 Moral philosophy of the “hardman”—Moral philosophy of the “hardman”—
commitment that his will must prevail,commitment that his will must prevail,
regardless of danger to himselfregardless of danger to himself
 Victims do frequently resist (24% of thoseVictims do frequently resist (24% of those
who face a robber with a gun)who face a robber with a gun)

KatzKatz
 Robbers are usually:Robbers are usually:
 UnemployedUnemployed
 Unmarried with few family obligationsUnmarried with few family obligations
 Use hard drugsUse hard drugs
 These factors are part of an overall pattern ofThese factors are part of an overall pattern of
acceptance of a learned “transcendent” way ofacceptance of a learned “transcendent” way of
lifelife
 Robbery is part of a larger commitment to aRobbery is part of a larger commitment to a
hedonistic lifestylehedonistic lifestyle

KatzKatz
 Chaos is a force that threatens toChaos is a force that threatens to
overwhelm the robber at any timeoverwhelm the robber at any time
 Things can always go wrong during aThings can always go wrong during a
robberyrobbery
 The only way to deal with chaos isThe only way to deal with chaos is
through controlthrough control
 He sticks up for himself (literally andHe sticks up for himself (literally and
figuratively)figuratively)

KatzKatz
 Robbery is largely a male activityRobbery is largely a male activity
 Katz rejects the notion that females areKatz rejects the notion that females are
too incompetent or that they have atoo incompetent or that they have a
distaste for violencedistaste for violence
 Males and females have differentMales and females have different
spheres of activitiesspheres of activities
 Male activities allow them to learn violentMale activities allow them to learn violent
behavior more than female activities;behavior more than female activities;
males also take more risks than femalesmales also take more risks than females

KatzKatz
 there is a disproportionate number ofthere is a disproportionate number of
Black males involved in robberyBlack males involved in robbery
 the black to white ratio for robbery arreststhe black to white ratio for robbery arrests
is 5:1is 5:1
 other minorities do not have such highother minorities do not have such high
arrest ratesarrest rates
 one Chicago study found 90% Black v 6%one Chicago study found 90% Black v 6%
HispanicHispanic

KatzKatz
 Katz offers a sociological view for the racialKatz offers a sociological view for the racial
disparities of robberydisparities of robbery
 Other ethnic groups have been able to becomeOther ethnic groups have been able to become
entrepreneurs, allowing racketeering toentrepreneurs, allowing racketeering to
develop alongside them to exploit their owndevelop alongside them to exploit their own
groupsgroups
 They don’t need to resort to robbery to makeThey don’t need to resort to robbery to make
moneymoney
 While equally criminal, their crimes will notWhile equally criminal, their crimes will not
become part of official statisticsbecome part of official statistics

KatzKatz
 The Black community lacks its ownThe Black community lacks its own
businessesbusinesses
 Asians control most ghettoAsians control most ghetto
establishmentsestablishments
 Most black robbers victimize other blacksMost black robbers victimize other blacks
trapped in the ghetto with themtrapped in the ghetto with them

KatzKatz
 Katz also offers a phenomenologicalKatz also offers a phenomenological
explanation for Black robberyexplanation for Black robbery
 ““nigger” and “bad nigger”nigger” and “bad nigger”
 when blacks use these terms it is awhen blacks use these terms it is a
special form of insultspecial form of insult
 ““nigger” represents a non-person status;nigger” represents a non-person status;
it implies that he is nothing and isit implies that he is nothing and is
therefore invisibletherefore invisible

KatzKatz
 the term “bad” serves to negate the non-the term “bad” serves to negate the non-
person status and replace it with “being”person status and replace it with “being”
 for a “bad nigger” robbery is a way tofor a “bad nigger” robbery is a way to
show that one is willing to risk his life forshow that one is willing to risk his life for
small gain and unafraid to make threatssmall gain and unafraid to make threats
and use violenceand use violence

KatzKatz
Ch.8 Cold-Blooded Senseless MurderCh.8 Cold-Blooded Senseless Murder
 these murders cause the greatest publicthese murders cause the greatest public
concern and puzzlementconcern and puzzlement
 they often occur in the midst of a robbery orthey often occur in the midst of a robbery or
kidnapping; the victim is a strangerkidnapping; the victim is a stranger
 however, this killing is not an attempt tohowever, this killing is not an attempt to
eliminate witnesseseliminate witnesses

KatzKatz
 The following are not examples of senselessThe following are not examples of senseless
murder:murder:
 1. righteous slaughter1. righteous slaughter
 2. berserk killers who enter a building and shoot2. berserk killers who enter a building and shoot
randomlyrandomly
 3. serial murders which have sexual or sadistic3. serial murders which have sexual or sadistic
motivesmotives
 4. killing a robbery victim when they are in the4. killing a robbery victim when they are in the
act of resisting the assailantact of resisting the assailant

KatzKatz
 Katz includes:Katz includes:
 The “Onion Field” murdersThe “Onion Field” murders
 Gary Gilmore’s murderous rampageGary Gilmore’s murderous rampage
 In Cold Blood, etc.In Cold Blood, etc.
 these murders usually occur in the eventthese murders usually occur in the event
of a robbery or kidnapping, the individualsof a robbery or kidnapping, the individuals
offer no resistance, and witnesses areoffer no resistance, and witnesses are
often allowed to escapeoften allowed to escape

KatzKatz
 Three part explanation for such murders:Three part explanation for such murders:
 1. such individuals hope to have others1. such individuals hope to have others
fear them; to react to them with a sensefear them; to react to them with a sense
of primordial fear or dreadof primordial fear or dread
 cold-blooded killers are the equivalent ofcold-blooded killers are the equivalent of
ancient deitiesancient deities
 they are to be feared and approachedthey are to be feared and approached
only with great caution and respectonly with great caution and respect

KatzKatz
 the wrath of the killer is feared just asthe wrath of the killer is feared just as
God’s isGod’s is
 the badass’s dress, tattoos, andthe badass’s dress, tattoos, and
language conveys a message that onelanguage conveys a message that one
must avoid this individual; destructionmust avoid this individual; destruction
may follow if you don’tmay follow if you don’t

KatzKatz
 2. cold-blooded killers are frequently those2. cold-blooded killers are frequently those
who have spent most of their lives in reformwho have spent most of their lives in reform
schools and prisons; they have troubleschools and prisons; they have trouble
accepting conventional moralityaccepting conventional morality
 they lack social and work-related skillsthey lack social and work-related skills
 when released from institutionalization theywhen released from institutionalization they
are under much pressure to conformare under much pressure to conform

KatzKatz
 the individual may feel trapped by thethe individual may feel trapped by the
pressure to conformpressure to conform
 they may want to act bad to prove theythey may want to act bad to prove they
can’t be controlled; it is a way of regainingcan’t be controlled; it is a way of regaining
self-esteemself-esteem

KatzKatz
 ““the killings emerge from athe killings emerge from a dizzinessdizziness inin
whichwhich conformityconformity is the greatest spiritualis the greatest spiritual
challenge andchallenge and deviancedeviance promises thepromises the
peace of transcendent significance”peace of transcendent significance”
 killing is the ultimate act of transcendingkilling is the ultimate act of transcending
the morality of the community and thusthe morality of the community and thus
creating a transcendent identitycreating a transcendent identity

KatzKatz
 3. there must be a proper “killing scene” or3. there must be a proper “killing scene” or
opportunity for the potential killer toopportunity for the potential killer to
actualize his fantasiesactualize his fantasies
 many of these killer, while in prison,many of these killer, while in prison,
fantasize about what they will do once outfantasize about what they will do once out
 most of these murders occur late at nightmost of these murders occur late at night
 some occur in specific locationssome occur in specific locations

KatzKatz
 it would be easy to explain such killers init would be easy to explain such killers in
psychological or sociological termspsychological or sociological terms
 most were isolated individuals before themost were isolated individuals before the
murders (antisocial personality disorder)murders (antisocial personality disorder)
 or their actions could be a result of a lackor their actions could be a result of a lack
of social tiesof social ties
 Katz rejects these theories as tooKatz rejects these theories as too
simplisticsimplistic

Jack Katz Seductionsof Crime

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