Choice Theory and Situational Crime Prevention

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set on Choice Theory, classical criminology, decision structuring, and situational crime prevention principles.

Rational choice theory

A criminological theory rooted in classical criminology stating that crime is a calculated decision-making process where offenders weigh risk versus reward, concluding that the rewards are worth the risk.

Classical school of thought

The criminological framework under which rational choice theory falls, advocating for harsher punishment because offenders act intentionally with rational decision-making and require deterrence.

General deterrence

The concept that the individual decision to commit crime can be controlled and discouraged through the application of criminal punishment.

Target, offender, and guardians

The three components (assets, threats, and strategies) that protection professionals aim to control in order to eliminate or reduce crime and loss events.

Offence- and offender-specific crime

The concept that criminal acts depend both on the presence of a suitable target with low risk/high reward and an offender possessing the suitable skills and abilities to execute it.

Structuring criminality

The process where individuals weigh crime as a career-like choice by balancing rewards (money, revenge, thrills, entertainment) against risks such as apprehension level.

Structuring crime decisions

The tactical planning of a crime based on location (avoiding well-organized communities), target characteristics (highest benefit and lowest risk), and available means derived from learning and experience.

Edgework

The excitement and adrenaline rush experienced by individuals when executing illegal activities.

Seductions of crime

A criminological concept identified by Jack Katz emphasizing the immediate personal allure, thrill, and emotional attractions that draw offenders to commit criminal acts.

Situational crime prevention

A crime prevention approach that reduces the opportunities to commit crime, convinces offenders that an illegal act is not worth it, and decreases the potential value of targets.

Defensible space (CPTED)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; a situational crime prevention method focused on surveillance and territorial design to deter offenders.

Target hardening

A crime prevention strategy focused on increasing the effort required by an offender to commit a crime.

Diffusion of benefits

A positive outcome of situational crime prevention that occurs when a prevention method targeting a specific crime prevents other crimes, or when interventions intended for one area reduce crime in unintended areas.

Discouragement

A benefit of situational crime prevention where target hardening applied to a specific asset ends up protecting other nearby assets as well.