RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

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

OVERVIEWIntroduction to Rational Choice

Theory

Principles of Rational Choice Theory

Rational Choice Theory and Anti-Crime 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 CONT’D

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 Targetthe 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_10730388#ixzz1mEmyOhSW

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

Rational Choice Theory and Anti-Crime Strategies

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY AND ANTI-CRIME STRATEGIES

Situational Crime PreventionThis 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 CONT’D

General DeterrenceThis theory states that motivated and

rational people will not break the laws if they fear being caught and punished.

Specific DeterrenceThis 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 CONT’D

IncapacitationThis anti-crime policy states that not

all criminals will be deterred from criminals act after receiving punishment.

Retributive Theory and Just DesertThis 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.