Assessing the Use of Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism, in the Management of Passion Killings in Botswana: Criminal Justice Curriculum

Abstract

Background of the study is that passion killings are increasing in Botswana. Rationale is that Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism holds that if we repeatedly pair events, making a person to connect between an action and its consequence we can shape behaviour of that person.  This study evaluates the Use of Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism, in the management of Passion killings in Botswana.Qualitative research.  Qualitative analysis of documentary data from previous study on the ‘number of people executed for passion killings versus the number of people killed by passion killers since the year 1966 in Botswana’ to assess whether there is repeated pairing that make potential passion killers to vividly connect between action & consequence on passion killings (hatred killings). Modise (June2025, p. 183) suggests that data can be analysed as follows:  CRAC:(i) C….Conclusion (assert-declare your point–conclusion-declarative statement first). (ii) R….Regulation / Rule / Principle / Theory / literature from a reputable authority(iii) A…Analysis [Demonstrate how your point-conclusion-declarative statement is derived from the Regulation / Rule / Principle / Theory / literature from a reputable authority]. Findings: Capital punishment to manage passion killings in Botswana has not been performed to the standard of Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism-repeated pairing of action & consequence shape the behaviour of an animal or person- the theory holds that repeated pairing enables animals to vividly connect between action and consequence. Since 1966, only less than 40 hatred killers (passion killers) executed for passion killings while approximately 5000 people have been killed by the hatred killers (passion killers) in Botswana. There is no repeated pairing of events (Hatred killing vsJudicial execution). If death penalty is not applied on passion killers because ‘Section 3 of the Constitution of Botswana speaks of ‘right to life as a fundamental human right’, then such a move will be working against Botswana Indigenous Human Rights Law for Passion Killings:-Kolantsho Neo (2025) reports: ’Botswana Prison Services explains everything as several Batswana express impatience on deathrow inmates who have been waiting to be executed. They want the president to speed up deaths to send a message that brutality on others will not be tolerated…. Batswana are calling on president (of Botswana) to expedite execution, saying it is only through hanging offenders that potential offenders will realize the consequences of butchering people‟. Recommendations: Botswana society should apply Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism by constantly or repeatedly pairing Hatred killing (Passion killing) with Execution of the killer to instil FEAR in Botswana society. Null curriculum / missing curriculum should be a template, blueprint, systematic way of acting or omitting to act to achieve the goal of reducing cases of passion killings in Botswana.Significance of the study: Pavlov Theory of Classical Conditioning Principles: Contiguity; Connectionism -we can shape behaviour of a person if we repeatedly or constantly pair events or occurrences, making a person to connect between an action and its consequence.