Rational Choice Theory

Social Scientific Theories

Concepts

• Broad Ideas about Complex Social Activity

  • Examples: "Crime", "Deviance"

Definitions

• Specify What Will be Measured

  • Examples:

    • "Violating a Criminal Law"

    • "Committing a Deviant Act"

Theories

• Propositions Linking the Concepts

  • Example: "Poor Parenting Causes Crime"

Building Theories

Key Questions

• How Do We Know What We Know?

• Methods:

  • Empirical Testing

  • Critical Interpretation

Human Nature Factors

• Free Will

• Determinism

• Value Judgments and Policy Implications

Testing Theories

Criteria for Evaluation

• Explanatory Power

• Generalizability

Scope of Crime

• Different Kinds of Crime

• Different Places at Different Times

Methodologies

• Verification and Falsification

Evaluating Theories

Self-Assessment Questions

• What are the assumptions?

• How generalizable is the theory?

• How strong is the evidence?

• What policies should we adopt?

The Theories

• Rational Choice

• Social Process

• Social Learning

• Social Control

• Labeling

• Structural Conflict

Rational Choice

Assumptions

• Humans are "rational actors"

• Aim to Maximize Benefits

• Aim to Minimize Costs

The Rational Offender's Calculation

Factors Influencing Decision

• Maximizing Benefits / Minimizing Risks

• Considerations:

  • Immediate Need

  • Potential Value of the Crime

  • Risk of Apprehension

  • Certainty of Punishment

  • Severity of Punishment

Context of Offender's Calculation

Personal Characteristics

• Individual Perceptions

• Opportunities

• Risks

• Learning and Experience

• Criminal Techniques

• Personality

Situational Characteristics

• The Place of the Crime

• The Targets

Rational Choice Case Study

• Example: Roger Harlow

  • Charged with 81 counts of burglary

  • Engaged in theft while knowing victims were away

  • Exhibited thorough planning and opportunism in committing crimes

Rationality of Gang Membership

Community Profile

• High rates of unemployment

• Low levels of formal education

• Predominantly African American

• Little residential mobility

Gang Structure

• Hierarchical Organization:

  • Central Gang Leadership

  • Local Leaders

  • Enforcers, Treasurers, Runners

  • Foot-soldiers and Rank and File

Gang Finances

Revenues

• Sources of Income

  • Drug Sales

  • Dues

  • Taxes (Protection Money)

Costs

• Non-Wage Costs

  • “Tribute”, Drugs, “Warriors”

• Wage Costs

  • Salaries vary:

    • Leaders ($50k - $130k)

    • Officers ($1000/month)

    • Foot Soldiers ($200/month, 20 hours/week)

Foot Soldier Wages

Economic Realities

• Low Wages

• High Risk of Violence

• Complement with Legal Jobs

• Evaluation of Risk vs. Value of Life

  • Short-term Low Wages for Possible Future Payoffs

Gang Wars

Economic Impact

• Market Shock Events

  • Decrease in demand and people on the streets

  • Disruption in distribution

  • Price reduction to preserve market share

Evaluating Theories Again

Key Questions

• What are the assumptions?

• How generalizable is the theory?

• Evidence Strength Analysis

Revisiting Assumptions in Rational Choice Theory

Considerations

• Choices made by individuals are influenced by:

  • Contextual Constraints

  • Individual Characteristics

  • Immediate Needs and Opportunities

  • Evaluation of Risks

  • Situational Characteristics

  • Gang Organization and Market Nature for Drugs

Evidence Evaluation

Generalizability Assessment

• Limited generalizability based on a single gang study

• Needs further research for broader applicability

Strength of Evidence

• Questioned based on data limitations