Behavioral Critique of Voldemort

Criminological explanation of the most evil dark wizard of all time

Voldermort Background

• Born Tom Marvelo Riddle– Witch/Squib Mother – Merope– Muggle Father – Tom Riddle

• Raised in Orphanage• Attended Hogwarts from years 11 -17• History of anger, anti-socialism, sadism, lack of

empathy• Very intelligent

What does Crim Theory do?

• Attempt to explain past behavior • Predict future behavior• Summarize the current knowledge• Control and prevent with policy

implementation

Schools of CriminologyPositive

• Behavior governed by external stimuli.

• Low individual responsibility. • No logical guilt or punishment• Focus on rehabilitation • Meet societal and human needs

of the offender.

Classical• Cesare Beccaria (1760s)• Free will and rationality

control behavior.• Individual is responsible for

guilt• Deterrents are in use • Little/no discretion• “Get Tough” mentality

The world of Harry Potter encompasses both schools of thought but is much more Classical. Free will is a major component and even Dumbledore can be classified as a Classicalist.

Types of Violent Offenders

• Culturally –subculture of violence

• Criminally – violence is means to an end

• Pathologically = mentally ill and damaged

• Situationally = crimes of passion

Voldemort Typologies

Criminally• Violence is a mean to get to

the end of power and control of the wizarding world.

Culturally• He creates a type of gang

with a violent sub-culture, the Death Eaters.

Theory 1 – Social Bonding

• Attachment = to significant others ie. parents

• Involvement = in conventional activities

• Belief = belief in morals, laws, and rules

• Commitment = time and energy in conventional activities

Stronger Bonds = Less deviant actions

Travis Hirschi

Voldemort’s Inadequate Bonding• Had no attachment to

father and rejected mother.• Did not associate with other

children, made up his own violent games and activities

• Lacked apathy and moral sense from early age

• Was committed to deviant acts not conventional activities.

Theory 2 – Strain (Anomie) Theory

Focus on Agnew’s General Strain• Positive Stimuli• Negative Stimuli• Protective Factors

RESULTS IN POSSIBLE CRIMINAL ACTIONS, MENTAL, AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES

A Life of Strain and Frustration

• Had little positive stimuli – Hogwarts after age 11– Attachment to school and grades

• Negative Stimuli– Labeling from Dumbledore– Lack of trust– No support system; family and friends

• Protective Factors– Mostly Hogwarts

Theory 3– Differential Association

• Commonly referred to as Social Learning Theory.– A person is taught how to act in a criminal and deviant

manner.– Peers and family can “transmit” this deviant knowledge• Associations, Number of Contacts, Time of Contact, Intensity of

Contact, Duration of Contact– Think of Monkey See Monkey Do

Where did this Behavior come from?

• I do not think Differential Association is really applicable.

• No one taught him to be violent to the orphans, to maim, and to kill.

• He had gone farther than any other wizard into the Dark Arts.

Theory 4 – Routine Activities

• Motivated Offender• Attractive/Easy Target• Lack of Capable Guardian

**Often used to describe property crimes but can be applied to other aspects as well –

especially within Harry Potter**

Cohen and Felson

Theory 5 - Labeling

• Edwin Lemart• Self-fulfilling prophecy• “Good” vs. “Bad”• Self-internalizing• Presumptions on behavior• Influenced by family and community

connections

Just A Bad Egg

• Dumbedore claimed to always know something was “wrong” with Tom Riddle.

• Destiny – Slytherin’s descendant• Other professors thought he was wonderful

and could do no wrong, ie. Slughorn

Integrative Theories

It is commonly accepted that not one theory can explain all behavior.

Therefore it is necessary to combine theories into an integrative approach.

In this instance, I would explain his behavior with a combination of social bonding, strain, and routine activities, with a special focus on social boding.