Chapter Four:
Choice Theory: Because
They Want To
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Rational Choice Theory in Criminology: Understanding Criminal Decision Making - Prof. Carl, Study notes of Criminology
Rational choice theory in criminology, which suggests that criminals make calculated decisions based on risks, rewards, and personal factors. The theory is rooted in classical school of criminology and gained popularity in the late 1960s. It covers various aspects of criminal decision making, including target selection, crime planning, and the role of situational and personal factors. The document also discusses the limitations and criticisms of the theory.
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Chapter Four:
Choice Theory: Because
They Want To
• Criminals plan activities, buy
equipment, try to avoid detection, and
attempt to put profits in a hidden bank
account.
• Because of these calculated actions,
many criminologists suggest that the
source of all criminal violations rests
upon rational decision making.
Rational Decision Making
A. Evaluating the Risks of Crime
- (^) Personal factors - money, revenge, thrills
- (^) Situational factors - target availability, security measures, police presence
- Choosing crime
- (^) Burglars choose targets based on value, novelty, resale potential
- (^) Decision to commit enhanced by promise of easy gain with low risk.
- (^) Choosing to forgo crime
- (^) Stand a good chance of being caught and punished
- (^) Fear the consequences of punishment
- (^) Risk losing respect of peers, damaging reputation, experiencing guilt or shame
- (^) Risk of apprehension outweighs profit/pleasure
Concepts of Rational Choice
B. Crime is Both Offense- and Offender-Specific
- (^) Offense-specific - reacting to characteristics of the criminal act: Evaluating the target yield, existence of security devices, police patrol effectiveness, ease of selling stolen merchandise, presence of occupants, neighbors or guard dogs, escape routes, etc.
- (^) Offender-specific - reacting to personal factors: Possession of necessary skills, need for money or valuables, resources to commit the crime, fear of expected apprehension and punishment, option of alternative criminal acts, physical ability.
Concepts of Rational Choice
D. Structuring Crime : where occurs, or the characteristics of the target.
- (^) Choosing the place of crime
- (^) Criminals choose where to a commit crime.
- (^) Drug dealers evaluate sales area: the middle of a long block due to visual advantages.
- (^) Choosing targets
- (^) Burglars check if dwelling is occupied.
- (^) Burglars track behavior patterns of occupants.
- (^) Burglars prefer working between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and in the afternoon when parents are working or transporting children to and from school.
Concepts of Rational Choice
- (^) Is theft rational?
- (^) Target selection seems highly rational.
- (^) Burglars choose targets based on value and resale potential.
- (^) Burglars like to work close to home where they blend in and will not get lost when returning home with their loot.
- (^) Target selection seems highly rational.
- (^) Is Drug Use Rational?
- (^) At its onset, drug use is controlled by rational decision making.
- (^) Drug dealers approach their profession in a businesslike fashion
Is Crime Rational?
- (^) Edgework
- (^) Crime is a more attractive alternative than law-abiding behavior. - (^) Due to the adrenaline rush that comes from the exhilarating, momentary integration of danger, risk, and skill.
- (^) Seductions of crime
- (^) Katz: There are immediate benefits to criminality and seductions precede the commission of crime and draw offenders into law violations. - (^) Antisocial behavior gives adolescents the opportunity to exert control over their lives. Why Do People Commit Crime?
- (^) Situational Crime Prevention
- (^) Criminal acts will be avoided if:
- (^) potential targets are carefully guarded
- (^) the means to commit crime are controlled
- (^) potential offenders are carefully monitored
- (^) Criminal acts will be avoided if:
Controlling Crime
- (^) The Costs and Benefits of Situational Crime Prevention
- (^) Hidden benefits:
- (^) Diffusion: prevent other crimes)
- (^) Discouragement (also reduce crime in surrounding areas)
- (^) Hidden costs
- (^) Displacement - move or redirect offenders to less heavily guarded alternative targets
- (^) Extinction - reduction programs produce a short-term positive effect but benefits dissipate as criminals adjust to new conditions
- (^) Replacement - criminals try new offenses they previously avoided
- (^) Hidden benefits:
Controlling Crime
- (^) Increasing the real or perceived threat of criminal punishment
- (^) Certainty of Punishment
- (^) Active police strategies
- (^) Severity of Punishment
- (^) Speed of Punishment
General Deterrence
- (^) Incapacitation Effect
- (^) Incarceration
- (^) Recidivism
- (^) Can Incapacitation Reduce Crime?
Incapacitation
- (^) Highly Visible Police Patrols
- (^) “Three Strikes and You’re Out”
- (^) Death Penalty Does Availability of the Death Penalty Discourage Murder? Policy Implications of Choice Theory