In Order To Complete Assignment 2, You Will Need To Answer.

In Order To Complete Assignment 2 You Will Need To Answer The Below

In order to complete Assignment #2 you will need to answer the below questions. Please complete the questions in a Word document and then upload the assignment for grading. When assigning a name to your document please use the following format (last name_Assignment #2). Use examples from the readings, lecture notes and outside research to support your answers. The assignment must be a minimum of 1-full page in length with a minimum of 2 outside sources.

Please be sure to follow APA guidelines for citing and referencing sources. Assignments are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Sunday. Please read the Time Bomb Case (Box 3.6) found on page 64 in Chapter 3. Which theory do you believe applies to this case? Please explain the reasons why the theory you picked applies.

Paper For Above instruction

The Time Bomb case involving William Carl Shea offers a compelling scenario for analyzing insider threats within organizations. Shea, a disgruntled former employee with administrative access, placed malicious software known as a "time bomb" on the company's computer network, resulting in data destruction and widespread disruption. This case exemplifies the motivations and behaviors associated with insider threats, making it pertinent to apply appropriate organizational and criminological theories to understand his actions and predict such behaviors.

Several theories are relevant in explaining Shea’s actions, but the Stationary Strain Theory (also known as Strain Theory) particularly offers a robust framework. Originally rooted in sociological criminology, Strain Theory postulates that individuals may resort to deviant behavior when they experience significant stress or strain, especially when they feel blocked from achieving desired goals through legitimate means (Merton, 1938). Shea's dismissal from his job after a period of poor performance and disciplinary measures could have caused feelings of frustration and perceived injustice, generating internal strain that motivated his retaliatory act.

Furthermore, Shea’s access to sensitive systems and knowledge of company operations increased the potential for deviant actions when combined with feelings of alienation or revenge. Strain Theory suggests that individuals who face blocked opportunities for success or who encounter unfair treatment may internalize their frustration, leading to negative behaviors such as sabotage or malicious insider actions (Agnew, 1992). Shea's firing, combined with perceived injustice and the opportunity provided by his access privileges, makes Strain Theory highly applicable.

Another relevant perspective is the Rational Choice Theory, which emphasizes the decision-making process of individuals weighing costs and benefits before committing an act (Clarke & Cornish, 1985). Shea's decision to plant a destructive time bomb might have been a calculated act driven by personal grievances and perceived retaliation, where he assessed the risks and consequences and still chose to proceed given his access and knowledge of the system. This rational calculation aligns with the criminal’s deliberate nature, suggesting that Shea believed the benefits—perhaps revenge or protest—outweighed the potential punishment.

In sum, although several theories could shed light on Shea’s malicious behavior, Strain Theory provides a comprehensive explanation by linking his emotional and psychological response to the abrupt termination of his employment with the subsequent act of sabotage. It underscores how perceived injustice, coupled with access to systems, can motivate insiders to commit destructive acts when internal pressures are not managed appropriately within the organizational framework.

References

• Agnew, R. (1992). Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency. Criminology, 30(1), 47-88.
• Clarke, R. V., & Cornish, D. B. (1985). Modeling offenders' decisions: A framework for research and policy. In D. Cornish & R. Clarke (Eds.), The Reasoning Criminal (pp. 147-184). Springer.
• Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682.