CJ 410 Module 4 study guide

Rational Choice Theory

Definition: Rational choice theory posits that individuals make decisions to commit crimes based on a rational assessment of the costs and benefits. Criminal behavior is seen as a choice made when the perceived rewards outweigh the risks.

• Core Principles:

o Crime is a result of rational decision-making.

o Criminals weigh the potential benefits (e.g., money, thrill) against the potential costs (e.g., punishment).

o People will avoid crime if they believe the risk of getting caught and punished is too high.

Classical Criminology

• Key Thinkers: Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham are the founders of classical criminology, which heavily influenced rational choice theory.

• Utilitarian Calculus: Bentham's idea that people seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

• Beccaria's Principles: Crime can be prevented if punishments are severe, certain, and swift.

Offense-Specific and Offender-Specific Crime

• Offense-Specific: Offenders carefully select their targets and plan crimes based on situational factors (e.g., the ease of access to a building, absence of security measures).

• Offender-Specific: Offenders evaluate their own skills, motives, and fears before deciding to commit a crime.

CRAVED Model

Definition: A model used in situational crime prevention to explain why certain properties are more likely to be stolen. Items that are more likely to be stolen are:

o Concealable: Easy to hide or transport.

o Removable: Can be easily taken.

o Available: Accessible.

o Valuable: Worth the effort.

o Enjoyable: Desired by offenders.

o Disposable: Easy to sell or trade.

Deterrence Theory

• General Deterrence: Crime control policy that aims to prevent crime by making the punishment severe enough to deter potential offenders.

• Specific Deterrence: Focuses on deterring individual offenders from repeating crimes by applying severe punishment.

• Perceptual Deterrence: The belief that individuals' perception of the likelihood of getting caught and punished will influence their decisions to commit crimes.

Situational Crime Prevention

• Definition: A crime prevention strategy that focuses on reducing opportunities for crime by making it more difficult to commit. Examples include installing security cameras, increasing lighting, and limiting access to vulnerable areas.

• Defensible Space: Modifying the physical environment to reduce criminal opportunities (e.g., gated communities, well-lit areas).

Incapacitation

Definition: A crime control strategy that seeks to reduce crime by incarcerating offenders, thereby physically preventing them from committing more crimes while they are in prison.