Rational Theories Rational Theories 1970s Rational Theories deterrence strategies Classical School neglected for most of the 20th century renewed interest in classical ideas in the Most criminologists came to embrace positivism or the belief that people are sometimes influenced by structural and or external forces beyond their control A return to Classical Criminology free will fear of punishment deterrence etc Rational or Choice theories primarily fuel get tough policies police crackdowns more prisons Such theories are popular because they blast rehabilitation as a cornerstone of criminal justice policy Most choice theorists regard it as a waste of time and taxpayer money to try and rehabilitate cold hardened criminals Conservatives since the Reagan presidency circa 1980 have embraced choice theory classical criminology principles and advocacy of the death penalty all despite the fact that the original classical school was opposed to the death penalty Routine Activities Theory Cohen and Felson 1976 1979 It was a popular theory at the time because although crime was going up the economical conditions were also going up and their theory was the only one to address this at the time Cohen and Felson based their theory on a rational choice model in which people make rational decisions in ways that will be to their advantage with as little disadvantage as possible Akers 2004 26 Routine Activities Theory Changes in patterns of everyday life lead to criminality Disruption of daily activities influences criminal opportunity and therefore affects crime trends Routine Activities Theory Three elements for the increase in crime a motivated offender comes into contact with a suitable target in the absence of a capable guardian The probability of the above occurring is influenced by our routine activities For example if we spend more time in public places we increase the likelihood that we will come into contact with motivated offenders Criticisms and Research Takes the supply of motivated offenders for granted May apply to property offenses but not violent crimes Empirical research data supportive for some crimes but needs to be further explored Rational Choice Theory Cornish and Clarke 1985 1986 Rational choice theory idea that criminals engage in some intelligent thought before choosing Draws heavily from classical and economic theories of crime to commit a crime Rational Choice Theory Offenders seek to benefit from crime weigh the costs and benefits Monetary and non monetary benefits Formal and informal costs Rational Choice Theory Two major stages Initial involvement model individuals decide whether they are willing to become involved in crime to satisfy their needs debate criminal and non criminal means choice influenced by learning experience individual traits demographics etc Criminal event model individuals decide to engage in crime and then must decide on a particular offense desperate need to money peer approval etc They select a target based on consideration of costs and benefits factors differ dramatically from one crime to another crime specific model different models of decision making for different types of crime Criticisms and Research Difficult to define and operationalize the key variables Empirical research small impact on crime most offenders do not carefully plan crimes and are not concerned about possibility of official sanctions Practical Implications Situational crime prevention crime Group Activity Criticism may breed a fortress society where everyone is locked in his or her homes to prevent Select a behavior deviant criminal or otherwise and list all of the perceived costs and benefits associated with the behavior and all of the perceived benefits Make a list of events occurrences that may lend support for Routine Activities assuming that there will always motivated offenders suitable targets and lack of capable guardians