Deterrence, rational choice, and routine activities

What is the Classical School in criminology?

A theory based on free will, where individuals make rational choices to commit or avoid crime

What is the Social Contract?

The idea that people give up some freedoms to the government in exchange for protection and order

What is the main idea of Crimes and Punishment?

Punishment should be proportionate and used to deter crime

What is deterrence Theory?

People commit crimes based on a rational calculation of risk (punishment) vs. reward

What are 3 key elements of deterrence?

Certainty, severity, celerity(swiftness)

What is certainty?

The likelihood of being caught

What is severity?

The harshness of punishment

What is celerity?

How quickly punishment is applied

Why did deterrence theory fall out of favor?

Crime rated didn’t decrease even after system changers

What is neoclassical(modern) deterrence

Recognizes that free will is limited by circumstances( bounded rationality)

What is bounded rationality?

Decisions are limited by personal and situational factors

What factors can influence decision-making in modern deterrence?

Age, gender,race,past, experience,mental capacity

What is specific deterrence?

Punishing an individual to prevent them from reoffending

What is objective( general) deterrence?

using data like arrest rates to study crime reduction in society

What is perceptual deterrence

Focuses on how individuals perceive punishment and risk

What is Rational Choice Theory?

People commit crimes if benefits outweigh costs

How is rational choice different from deterrence theory

It includes both costs and benefits, including informal consequences

What are informal sanctions?

Social consequences like shame, guilt, or embarrassment

Why is rational choice theory more complex?

It considers multiple variables( multivariates model)

Are crimes accidental or intentional?

Intentional and purposive

Do offenders always make perfect decisions?

No, due to risk and uncertainty( bounded rationality)

Do decisions vary by crime type?

Yes, different crimes involve different decision-making

What are involvement decisions?

Decisions about entering or continuing crime

What are the 3 stages of involvement?

Initiation, Habituation, Resistance

What are event decisions?

Steps during a crime( planning→execution→escape→aftermath)

What is Routine Activities Theory?

Crime occurs when 3 elements meet: offender, target, lack of guardian

What are the 3 elements of crime in this theory?

Motivated offender, attractive target, lack of capable guardianship

What is a capable guardian?

Someone or something that can prevent( police, cameras, people)

How do daily routines affect crime?

They influence expose to offenders and vulnerability

What type of theory is Routine Activities?

Through situational crime prevention( reduce opportunities)

Why is it linked to classical criminology?

It involoves rational choice and free will

Who created Routine Activities Theory?

cohen and felson (1970s)

What is target hardening?

Making a target harder to attack( locks, alarms, etc.)

What is the main idea connecting all three theories?

Crime is influenced by rational decision-making and opportunity

What is the best way to prevent crime according to these theories?

Increase risk, reduce rewards, and limit opportunities