Rational choice theory (25)
This theory assert that offenders are active, thinking participants in their criminal
ventures.
Also called opportunity theories; no crime can be committed unless there is an
opportunity to complete the act.
Introduction:
Rational choice theory is based on the classical school philosophy.
The classical school grew out of the work of a group of Enlightenment
philosophers, who argued that human problems should be addressed by the
application of reason, rather than tradition, religion and superstition.
Two key classical school theorist – Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham –
established the essential components of the rational actor model.
In 1985, Clarke and Cornish proposed the “rational choice” approach.
This approach was a more sophisticated approach to the decision to defend.
Cornish and Clarke assume that people are not “empty vessels” when they
approach a situation in which a crime might be committed.
They bring with them background factors, such as temperament, intelligence,
cognitive style, family upbringing, class origin, neighbourhood context and
gender.
These factors create criminal motivations.
However, crime is not simply due to underlying motivations or predispositions, it
also involves a sequence of choices that must be made if these motivations are
to result in an actual criminal act.
Definition of key concept(s):
Rational choice theory:
Is a theory which emphasises the importance of rationality in human action, even if
this is limited (bounded). It emphasises the decision-making processes involved in the
choices made by offenders.
Propositions:
Cornish and Clarke summarise the basis of their rational choice perspective in the
following
six basic propositions:
1. Firstly, crimes are deliberate acts, committed with the intention of benefitting
the offender.
For example, benefits may include the money the offender has stolen or the
excitement gained from committing the act.
It is therefore reasonable to assume that crimes are premeditated acts that
involve substantial amounts of rational consideration.
2. Secondly, offenders try to make the best decision they can, given the risks and
uncertainty involved.
For example, a security guard may unexpectedly appear on the scene.
No matter how much planning and effort the offender has put into committing
the crime, there might still be various other factors that the offender might not
have thought of that could influence the risks of committing the crime.
This theory assert that offenders are active, thinking participants in their criminal
ventures.
Also called opportunity theories; no crime can be committed unless there is an
opportunity to complete the act.
Introduction:
Rational choice theory is based on the classical school philosophy.
The classical school grew out of the work of a group of Enlightenment
philosophers, who argued that human problems should be addressed by the
application of reason, rather than tradition, religion and superstition.
Two key classical school theorist – Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham –
established the essential components of the rational actor model.
In 1985, Clarke and Cornish proposed the “rational choice” approach.
This approach was a more sophisticated approach to the decision to defend.
Cornish and Clarke assume that people are not “empty vessels” when they
approach a situation in which a crime might be committed.
They bring with them background factors, such as temperament, intelligence,
cognitive style, family upbringing, class origin, neighbourhood context and
gender.
These factors create criminal motivations.
However, crime is not simply due to underlying motivations or predispositions, it
also involves a sequence of choices that must be made if these motivations are
to result in an actual criminal act.
Definition of key concept(s):
Rational choice theory:
Is a theory which emphasises the importance of rationality in human action, even if
this is limited (bounded). It emphasises the decision-making processes involved in the
choices made by offenders.
Propositions:
Cornish and Clarke summarise the basis of their rational choice perspective in the
following
six basic propositions:
1. Firstly, crimes are deliberate acts, committed with the intention of benefitting
the offender.
For example, benefits may include the money the offender has stolen or the
excitement gained from committing the act.
It is therefore reasonable to assume that crimes are premeditated acts that
involve substantial amounts of rational consideration.
2. Secondly, offenders try to make the best decision they can, given the risks and
uncertainty involved.
For example, a security guard may unexpectedly appear on the scene.
No matter how much planning and effort the offender has put into committing
the crime, there might still be various other factors that the offender might not
have thought of that could influence the risks of committing the crime.
