The Psychology of Shoplifting: Development of a New Typology for Repeated Shoplifting.

Despite the damaging effects of shoplifting on individuals, the current literature offers little guidance for changing shoplifting behavior. One limitation in this area of research has been the failure to use empirically and theoretically sound methodologies to identify individuals' diverse characteristics and motivations. The present study addressed these limitations by developing an empirically and theoretically supported typology of the varied individuals who shoplift. Participants included 202 community individuals who reported repeated shoplifting and provided information about their shoplifting behavior, motivations, mental health, ethical attitudes, personal histories, and life circumstances. Cluster analyses revealed that the sample could be divided into six discrete groups. These clusters comprise a typology of shoplifting, including Loss-Reactive (28% of the sample), Impulsive (20%), Depressed (18%), Hobbyist (18%), Addictive-Compulsive (9%), and Economically Disadvantaged (7%) types. Each type comprises a unique pattern of shoplifting with unique needs. This research establishes a promising foundation for treating the diverse individuals who shoplift.

Kleptomania or common theft - diagnostic and judicial difficulties. / Kleptomania czy kradziez pospolita ­ trudnosci diagnostyczno-orzecznicze.

First descriptions of kleptomania as a mental disorder date back to the nineteenth century. For the first time, kleptomania as an accompanying symptom rather than a formal diagnosis was included in the classification of psychiatric disorders of the American Psychiatric Association DSM-I in 1952. It was included in the International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and classified under "habit and impulse disorders". Kleptomania is a serious disorder, as numerous thefts are impulsively carried out, carrying the risk of detection and consequently criminal liability. In Poland, we lack epidemiological data, however, it is estimated that 5% of those who commit theft are affected by kleptomania. People suffering from this disorder often do not seek a medical opinion so reviewing such cases is challenging for expert psychiatrists. The authors have proposed the term "kleptomania spectrum" for defining cases in which patients have an intense urge to steal, experienced a sense of tension from such an action, and relief following it, however, the criterion of theft of a superfluous object, without a profitable motive for themselves or others is not met.

Actitudes y dinámicas de robo en uncolegio de nivel socioeconómico medio-alto / Theft attitudes and dynamics in an upper-middle socioeconomic level school / Atitudes e dinâmica de roubo numa escola do nível socioeconômico médio-alto

El robo escolar es un problema muy común en colegios de todas las localidades de Bogotá. Con el propósito de profundizar sobre este fenómeno, se realizaron encuestas, entrevistas y grupos focales con noventa estudiantes de un colegio privado de nivel socioeconómico medio-alto. Los resultados indicaron que los robos en este colegio se realizan, por lo general, de manera espontánea e individual, y que los objetos robados se utilizan para uso personal y no para la venta. A pesar de que la mayoría de los estudiantes rechazan los robos, algunos minimizan su gravedad cuando la víctima tiene muchos recursos o presume de sus posesiones, o si ha dejado sus objetos descuidados. Estos resultados contrastan con un estudio similarrealizado previamente en una escuela con presencia de pandillas juveniles, el cual mostró que los robos eran realizados de manera planeada por grupos de estudiantes que dividían sus roles y vendían lo robado por fuera del colegio. A pesar de las diferencias entre colegios, la presente investigación resalta la necesidad de que se tomen en serio las denuncias de los estudiantes, se apliquen normas de manera consistente, se promueva empatía frente a las víctimas y se cuestionen justificaciones que minimizan la gravedad de los robos.

School theft is a very common problem at schools in all areas of Bogota. For the purpose of delving into this issue,surveys, interviews and focus groups were carried out with ninety students of a private upper-middle socioeconomic level school, and results showed that robberies and thefts taking place there are generally of a spontaneous and individual nature, and stolen objects intended for personal use, not for sale.Nevertheless, although most students reject these activities, they tend to minimize their seriousness particularly if the victims own significant resources or boast about their possessions or tend to be careless and leave their things behind. In contrast, the results of a similar study previously carried out in a school affected with the presence of youth gangs showed that thefts were carefully planned by groups of students playing different roles; stolen objects were then sold outside tablishments, current research stresses the fact that student complaints need to be taken seriously and empathy promoted towards the victims; rules must be applied consistently while questioning and rejecting any justifications leading to minimize the seriousness of these acts.

O roubo escolar é um problema comum nas escolas em todas as localidades de Bogotá. Para investigar esse fenômeno, realizaramse foram pesquisas, entrevistas e grupos focais com noventa alunos de uma escola privada de nível socioeconômico médio-alto. Os resultados indicaram que os roubos nesta escola são feitos, em geral, de jeito individual e espontâneo e que os objetos roubados são usados para uso pessoal e não para venda. Enquanto a maioria dos alunos rejeita o roubo, alguns minimizam sua gravidade quando a vítima tem muitos recursos ou gaba-se das suas posses, ou se deixou seus objetos abandonados. Esses resultados contrastam com um estudo semelhante realizado anteriormente em uma escola com a presença de gangues de jovens, que mostrou que os roubos foram feitos na maneira pretendida por grupos de estudantes que dividiam seus papéis e vendiam os objetos roubados fora da escola. Apesar das diferenças entre escolas, esta pesquisa destaca a necessidade de que as queixas dos alunos levamse a sério, usam-se as regras consistentemente, promovase a empatia com as vítimas e desafiemse as justificativas que minimizam a gravidade dos roubos.

Is stealing a gateway crime?

Stealing behaviors are common among youth and adolescents and often begin in early ages due to a variety of developmental, behavioral, and social factors. This study explores the prevalence of stealing behaviors in a South Texas juvenile detention facility. Researchers discovered stealing was the most frequently reported offense followed by the lack of supervision. Youth arrested for stealing were also more likely to be arrested prior to their twelfth birthday, have subsequent charges that may include assault, and have multiple charges. Results with implications for interventions are provided.

Clinical assessment and intervention with shoplifters.

Community, corporate, and judicial interest in ways of effectively curtailing shoplifting has been heightened as the proliferation of large shopping malls has created increased opportunities for theft-related offenses. Research demonstrates that shoplifting often results from a variety of psychosocial problems experienced by otherwise law-abiding citizens. Unfortunately, services for convicted shoplifters often are limited to attending financial planning seminars and brief court-ordered supervision sessions. This article presents a typology for differential assessment of and intervention with shoplifters. The model, developed from over 10 years of clinical practice and research, identifies five major categories under which client motivation can be classified: entitlement, addictions, peer pressure, stress, and impulsiveness. Requisite social work knowledge and skills for addressing this costly social problem are addressed.

The validity of robbery-murder classifications in Baltimore.

The most widely used source of nationwide data on homicide in the United States is the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data compiled by the FBI as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting System. This paper describes a study of the reliability of robbery-murder classifications by the SHR for Baltimore, Maryland during 1983. The research is exploratory, but indicates a high level of inconsistency in the data. Of the 42 cases that were classified as robbery murders by the SHR or the replication study, only 20 were classified that way in both studies. The high level of unreliability can be attributed to three major problems: (1) the SHR codes are mutually exclusive, but many homicides could be placed in several of the categories; (2) there are few systematic rules for classifying ambiguously motivated homicides; and (3) the SHR placed too many cases in the "unknown" category. It appears that the reliability of the coding could be increased substantially with relatively minor changes in the procedures currently used.