RT Article
T1 Expertise, Emotion and Specialization in the Development of Persistent Burglary
JF The British journal of criminology
VO 60
IS 3
SP 742
OP 761
A1 Meenaghan, Amy
A2 Otte, Marco 1975-
A2 Gelder, Jean-Louis van
A2 Nee, Claire
A2 Vernham, Zarah
LA English
YR 2020
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1694826082
AB This article describes a qualitative analysis of interviews conducted among 70 experienced residential burglars regarding the reasons for getting involved in and maintaining criminal behaviour. Themes emerging reflected an interaction between skill-development and affect, which played a key role in the initiation and continuation of burglary-related behaviour. Early participation in burglary seemed to be strongly influenced by the desire for excitement. Over time this diminished and was replaced by habitual engagement in burglary. With respect to the actual commission of offences, automatic decision-making appeared to be characteristic of the entire decision-chain, from initial thoughts to the commission of the burglary. Implications of the interaction between affect, cognition and expertise on diversification, specialization and desistance from crime are discussed.
K1 Expertise
K1 Burglary
K1 Automaticity
K1 Emotion
K1 Specialization
DO 10.1093/bjc/azz078