Why do people keep stealing even when they know it is wrong and want to stop?
Understanding the Internal Conflict of Thieves: Why Desire to Stop Often Isn’t Enough
According to The Times (2024), business property robberies in the UK reached a record high, with shoplifting incidents rising by 29% to 469,788 cases. But despite knowing it is illegal and wanting to stop, many people continue to steal.
In this article we will dive into the reasons why people keep shoplifting and will have the opinions of experts in psychology that will explain what happens within our brains, in terms of dopamine and reward, stress, anxiety and coping strategies.
Lizzie Muir a MSC student in Psychology at Oxford Brookes University explained that what people get out of it outweighs the guilt of knowing that it is wrong. Individuals with high levels of anxiety and stress about finances are more likely to steal. In this specific case, a recent survey seen on YouGov has revealed that 56 % of Britons think it is not a very serious crime and even acceptable in certain circumstances.
Molly, a Marketing Management student mentioned: ‘ there are good reasons for shoplifting such as providing for your family if you are really poor, or if you are a single mother that needs essential care for your babies’.
On the other hand, if people do not shoplift out of need, why do they do it?
In 2023 a new trend went viral on Tiktok with the caption “Look what I borrowed” where hundreds of teenagers were sharing photos of stolen products from different shops, causing excitement among the youth.
Dr. Hanna Baldwin, specialist in criminal behaviour, describes this as an adrenaline rush. ‘Once you’ve got that adrenaline rush you’re going to keep chasing after that and you’ll want to satisfy your body even more with that feeling’. If we compare this behaviour with drug addicts, we could say it is very similar. She says ‘ Indeed, as this becomes a dopamine loop that creates a habit and then a pattern in their behaviour, which is very difficult to break even if they want to stop’.
We understand that these impulses have different causes and depend on people’s morality, what they consider is right or wrong but we also see other factors such as personality disorders, and trends that influence their behaviour.
Lizzie Muir mentioned that there are different aspects that play in shoplifting behaviour and some people are triggered by personality disorders and feelings of narcissism and superiority. ‘I’m better than you, look at me. I can steal and get away with it.’ Which reaffirms the opinions of some people that believe there are not strict consequences for those who steal.
Muhib, a security man at the CO-OP from Brookes University mentioned: ‘there are several cases of shoplifting here every week, we first approach them as we watch through the cameras and if they resist then we call the police.’ You may wonder what type of things they steal, if they are essential needs or things they want out of vanity. In this case, the security guard said it is often food and snacks that are stolen.
Molly, a Marketing student, revealed to us she had seen someone in Primark stealing goods but never interfered. She believes people keep doing it because ‘it’s easy, fun and there are no severe consequences’.
Dr. Baldwin explained that it is better to address the driving factor rather than the stealing itself. There is support and therapy for those who battle with this behaviour. ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a good one because you’re thinking about the processes that you’re doing and it’s changing your behaviour. Addressing the underlying issue is very important to change the pattern.’
A business owner said during an interview to The Telegraph that, ‘people are pushing the limits of the law, and since the pandemic, they find it easy hiding their faces with masks.’ These crimes, whether they are trends or thefts born out of need, are causing business owners and companies to lose thousands of pounds every year.
Establishing stricter consequences for those who steal is essential to reduce incidents in the UK. Some argue that it isn't seen as a crime, which is why they continue doing it. Once it becomes normalised, they may no longer feel the need to stop. A shoplifter said to the Daily Mail ‘I don’t consider myself a criminal, I go out and work. I'm quite proud of how I go out and work. I could become a millionaire tomorrow and I would still go out - it's the thrill.’
It’s common for people to blame others when they’re dealing with something addictive, whether it’s stealing or something else. As we see with many shoplifters, they often point fingers at their employers or the government. Some claim that they’re driven to steal because they simply can’t afford things due to the rising cost of living, which has made even basic items feel out of reach. Others justify their actions by convincing themselves they’re outsmarting the system, believing that big shops don’t put enough effort into security, so they’re less likely to get caught. This tendency to shift the blame onto external factors allows them to avoid taking personal responsibility for their actions, even though they know deep down that stealing is wrong. In the end, it reflects a wider issue of how criminal behaviour is often rationalised, where individuals may feel justified in breaking the law based on their own circumstances or perceptions of inequality.