英语听力精选进阶版 6280

People in the UK are in shock after days of brazen¹ thefts and wanton damage during riots in London and other cities in England. Across the media, there have been images of people walking into shops and helping² themselves to flat-screen TVs, clothes and other items.

But what is it that turns people into looters? Criminologists and psychologists have been considering what happens.

Some politicians have been quick to describe the rioting as simply thuggery. But experts point out that only some of those involved will have committed such crimes before; and others are swept along with the crowd.

Psychologists say that people lose their moral identity in a large group and empathy and guilt³ - the human qualities which prevent us from behaving like criminals – are lost as we take on the values of the group.

For the looters there's a sense of safety in numbers. Because hundreds of people are taking part in the criminal activities, individuals feel they are likely to get away with it.

According to Dr Lance Workman, rioters and looters may develop a temporary moral code in their minds which justifies⁴ their actions: "There are rich people who have things I don't have so it's right that I take it." However, there is also evidence which suggests gang leaders have psychopathic tendencies, he says.

Academics also think that socio-economic factors must be taken into account. Most of the rioters are from poor estates and feel they have nothing to lose.

Quiz 小测验

1. Did the looters try to hide their actions? 

No. Their actions were brazen.

2. Do some politicians think the rioting was caused by people because they are violent people? 

Yes. They describe the actions as simply thuggery.

3. Do some psychologists think people behave differently in large groups than they do on their own? 

Yes. They say people lose their moral identity and take on the values of the group.

4. What word is used to describe someone who doesn't feel bad about their destructive actions? 

Psychopathic.

5. Are the rioters rich? 

No. Most of the rioters are from poor estates.

Glossary 词汇表

brazen thefts 厚颜无耻的偷窃 

wanton damage 任意破坏 

riots 社会骚乱 

helping themselves 自己动手拿 

looters 抢掠者 

criminologists 犯罪学家 

psychologists 心理学家 

thuggery 抢劫 

swept along with 顺波逐流、被拥着前行 

empathy 同感，共鸣 

guilt 歉意 

values 价值观 

safety in numbers 人多势众 

to get away with it 做了坏事但不会受到惩罚 

moral code 道德准则 

psychopathic tendencies 有犯罪谋杀倾向 

socio-economic 社会经济学 

nothing to lose 没什么可以失去的，什么都不怕

1 brazen   

adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的

参考例句：

• The brazen woman laughed loudly at the judge who sentenced her.那无耻的女子冲着给她判刑的法官高声大笑。
• Some people prefer to brazen a thing out rather than admit defeat.有的人不愿承认失败，而是宁肯厚着脸皮干下去。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 guilt   

n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责

参考例句：

• She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
• Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。

4 justifies   

证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护）

参考例句：

• Their frequency of use both justifies and requires the memorization. 频繁的使用需要记忆，也促进了记忆。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• In my judgement the present end justifies the means. 照我的意见，只要目的正当，手段是可以不计较的。