Criminology is the wider area that is used to evaluate the context of crime. The scientific study of criminals and crime is used for evaluating the basis and reasons of crime done by people. It makes use of different theories and school of thought in order to analyse the reasons behind criminal activities. The main purpose of this paper is to consider one criminology theory or school of thought. The criminology theory that is used for analysing the requirements of this paper is rational choice theory. According to this theory, the people focus on making logical choice regarding the circumstances in which to commit crime. It is noticed that this theory makes use of utilitarian belief under which man is the actor who considers costs, means, …show more content…
It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach, …show more content…
It is the means of understanding the human behaviour towards criminal activities and the ways through which it can be controlled. Moreover, the theory considers two factors that are situational factor and personal factor, which are the major reason behind formulation of the theory. Beccaria developed the theory to make it convenient for the people to understand the personal as well as situational factors through which crime rate is increasing. This is because it helps in minimising the rising impact of criminal
The classical criminological theory was born during the Enlightenment Age. It highlights individuals having free will and choosing to make rational choices regarding criminal behavior. The theory assumes that individuals commit crimes based on possible benefits outweighing risks from their behavior (Tibbetts, pg. 5). 1600s English Philosopher, Thomas Hobbs, made the following assumptions about human nature. He said humans tend to act in logical way, but have a fundamental nature of self-interest.
In these days the criminal world become more dangerous because of increasing crimes. There are many different types of crimes, such as murder, rape, violence, robbery and larceny. They have different kind of punishment that help us to protect from crime. Nevertheless, punishment do not stop the crime at all because crime depends on many factors, such as parenting style, environment and people around you. Today, I will be discussing about one interesting topic in criminal world.
My paper aims to discuss the three different factors of criminal behaviour, what causes it and why. My essay will examine and focus mainly on the genetic makeup of a person, the environment in which they are raised in and gender differences.
Crime is a conduct that is prohibited by law and must have a severe sanction that is directed at a public purpose. White-collar and corporate crime is a type of crime that is committed by middle and upper class people about their business activities. Sutherland defined white-collar crime as a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation (textbook). Rational choice theory is the result of cautious choices made by offenders based on their intentions of the risks and rewards of these choices. Criminals make rational decisions to commit a crime by reviewing all possibilities and outcomes (idealessay).
This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of
Crime is caused by the individual’s free will. Humans are rational and make the decision as to whether they commit a crime or not, and have the knowledge of understanding what consequences are. Humans choose to perform the rational thought actions of which they believe would bring them pleasure. Classical theory believes that crime is the immoral form of behaviour.
The classical theory of crime says that people make rational choices when they commit crimes. “Individuals have the will and rationality to act according to their own will and desires. Individuals will calculate the rationality of the crime based on the benefits of the crime versus the consequences of the crime” (Robinson, 2014). This theory discuses that how people think about the negative and positive outcomes before they commit crime. Even though they realize it is not right, they still continue to commit illegal offence because they believe that what they are doing is for the greater
While a few theories are not as regular, others have developed and are utilized as a part of numerous criminal reviews today. Cutting edge criminologists consolidate the most important aspects of sociology, psychology, anthropology, and biological theories to advance their comprehension of criminal behavior. Rational choice theory, psychological, biological, and strain theory are used to analyze the
Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.
Rational Choice theory was developed to explain the voting-behaviour by the RAND corporation, in 1951 (Amadae, 2003). It was adapted by Cornish and Clarke (1985) to explain burglaries, and to develop situational crime prevention. The-theoretical belief of RCT is that an individual weighs the costs and benefits of committing a-crime before deciding to proceed (Clarke & Ronald, 1997). Underlying this belief is the-assumption that individuals have sets of hierarchically preferences shaped by their personal-factors and the situation present (Clarke & Ronald, 1997).
Third, I will explore Farrell 's critique of Hayward 's article and consider his arguments made in response to Hayward 's conclusions. Fourth, this paper will engage in its own critique of both Hayward 's and Farrell 's work and conclude with which article makes the most compelling argument. Tenets of Rational Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention Rational choice theory originated in the Classical School of thinking as it is based on the ideas of utilitarianism, which states that individuals make decisions that provide the greatest pleasure, as well as the ideas of free will and rational thought (Farrell and Hodgkinson, 2015). According to Farrell and
Introduction Society and its laws are what make man what they are, that without any social regulation man is able to pursue as well as achieve its own desires which can lead to criminal behaviour. The motivation for crime is derived from societal forces that pressure people to commit crime. Anomie theories tend to have a more macro-level focus. Therefore the research that has been conducted covers why exactly people commit crimes as well as breaking down the Anomie theory for a more clear understanding. In connection to the structure of this review, there will be a discussion on the reasons for criminal activity, secondly what is the anomie theory and how the Anomie theory is one platform that can be used to describe its relationship to crime, and
Theory Situational crime theory explains how people can reduce the crime activities that happen in their environment. This theory has strategies that make it difficult for criminals to take the items they want, making sure there are more cameras in places that will attract potential criminals and increase the risk of capture to deter crime. The surveillance can be more than just cameras, it can also be neighborhood watch programs and more police patrolling in the area.
It suggests that the behavior of an individual is influenced and shaped by other individuals with whom they interact with. It is believed that through this association there is formulation of individual understanding of societal value and norms. Interaction and observation are the same method in which criminals learn their deviance. Individual behavior is primarily influenced by groups such friends, families, personal companion and peers through either direct or indirect interaction. Criminal are not naturally deviant but they learn deviance.
This essay will discuss crime as both a social problem and a sociological problem. Crime is seen as a typical function of society. Crime doesn’t happen without society. It is created and determined by the surrounding society. According to the CSO, the number of dangerous and negligent acts committed between the years of 2008 and 2012 rose from 238’000 in 2008 to 257’000 in 2012.