Using the Becker Model, why did Walter White become a criminal drug lord?Group of answer choicesHis dis-utility of getting caught was lowerHis probability of getting caught went downHe is bored being a chemistry teacherHis salary as a teacher went down
Question
Using the Becker Model, why did Walter White become a criminal drug lord?Group of answer choicesHis dis-utility of getting caught was lowerHis probability of getting caught went downHe is bored being a chemistry teacherHis salary as a teacher went down
Solution
The Becker Model of criminal behavior suggests that individuals make a cost-benefit analysis before engaging in criminal activity. If the expected benefits outweigh the expected costs, then an individual will choose to commit the crime.
In the case of Walter White from the TV show "Breaking Bad", several factors could explain his decision to become a criminal drug lord:
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His dis-utility of getting caught was lower: Walter was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at the beginning of the series. This diagnosis may have reduced his fear of the consequences of getting caught, as he might have felt he had less to lose.
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His probability of getting caught went down: Walter was a high school chemistry teacher, a profession that gave him the knowledge and skills to produce high-quality methamphetamine and evade law enforcement.
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He is bored being a chemistry teacher: Walter's dissatisfaction with his job and his life could have increased the perceived benefits of engaging in criminal activity. He might have seen it as a way to break away from his mundane life and achieve something more exciting and significant.
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His salary as a teacher went down: Walter's financial struggles, exacerbated by his cancer diagnosis and the associated medical costs, could have made the potential financial gains from drug production and distribution more attractive.
In conclusion, according to the Becker Model, Walter White became a criminal drug lord because the expected benefits of this decision, in his particular circumstances, outweighed the expected costs.
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