RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Group Members: Karrena Pinnock 620025875, Kayon Brown 620025203, Ombretta Effs 620034659

OVERVIEW
Introduction

to Rational Choice Theory

Principles

of Rational Choice Theory

Rational

Choice Theory and AntiCrime Strategies

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION TO RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Emerged out of Classical Criminology Developed by Cesare Beccaria and other Utilitarian Philosophers such Jeremy Bentham Ideologies of Classical Choice theory
People choose all behavior. Choices are to bring them more pleasure than pain. Criminal choices can be controlled by fear of punishment. The more certain, severe and swift the punishment the greater its deterrence effect.

INTRODUCTION TO RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY CONTD

Contemporary Choice theory became prominent in the mid 1970s. The theory is based on intelligent thought processes and criminal decision making that are shaped by human emotions.

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Principles of Rational Choice Theory

PRINCIPLES OF RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Individuals are rational.

They can think in a logical way

Offense and Offender specific Crimes. Siegel 2009 page 94. eg Burglary. Thought process: police patrol, getaway car, presence of occupants. Structuring Criminality
Economic Opportunity- case: the Robert Allan Ponzi scheme Learning and Experience: the Carlos Hill cash plus scheme Knowledge of criminality technique: criminals may be knowledgeable about the law.

PRINCIPLES OF RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Individuals have interests. Different people have different interests. Structuring Crime: along with structuring their careers crime rationally choose where, when and their target before they commit a crime. In essence they select the: The Jamaican situation: carjacked mom! the types of crime: Crime Target the time and location of crime

HEADLINE: MOTHER CARJACKED WITH BABY

Police and pedestrians look at Judy-Ann Hinds' Nissan Sunny along Oxford Road in Kingston yesterday evening after it was crashed and abandoned by a carjacker. Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Carjacked_10730 388#ixzz1mEmyOhSW

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Rational Choice Theory and Anti-Crime Strategies

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY AND ANTI-CRIME STRATEGIES

Situational

Crime Prevention This concept states that criminals will avoid committing criminal acts if:

Potential targets are guarded securely The means to commit crime are controlled and Potential offenders are carefully monitored

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY AND ANTI-CRIME STRATEGIES CONTD

General

Deterrence This theory states that motivated and rational people will not break the laws if they fear being caught and punished. Specific Deterrence This theory is based on the thought that if crime is rational, then painful punishment should reduce its occurrence.

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY AND ANTI-CRIME STRATEGIES CONTD

Incapacitation

This anti-crime policy states that not all criminals will be deterred from criminals act after receiving punishment. Retributive Theory and Just Desert This theory is based on the rational choice view that the level of punishment should be equivalent to the criminal offence.

REFERNCES

Keel, R. (2005, July 14). The Evolution of Classical Theory: Rational Choice, Deterrence, Incapacitation and Just Deser. Retrieved February 9, 2012, from http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/ratchoc.html Siegel, L. J. (2009). Criminology (Tenth ed., pp. 90-110). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.