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?
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Attempt to explain past behavior
Predict future behavior
Summarize the current knowledge
Control and prevent with policy
implementation
Schools of Criminology
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Positive
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
Travis Hirschi
Stronger Bonds =
• Attachment = to
Less deviant actions
significant others ie.
parents
• Involvement = in
conventional activities
• Belief = belief in morals,
laws, and rules
• Commitment = time
and energy in
conventional activities
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
Cohen and Felson
• 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**
Theory 5 - Labeling
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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.