Criminology Rational Choice Theory PDF

Preview

Summary

Rational choice, General deterrence, Specific Deterrence, Incapacitation
...

Description

Chapter 4 Rational Choice Theory Development of Rational Choice Theory -

Classical School

-

- Cesare Beccaria Decision is made to either commit crime or not commit crime According to Rational Choice Theory, offenders engage in a “cost benefit analysis” when engaging in crime Factors that impact decision

- Probability of being caught/punished - Fear of Punishment - Risk of losing respect, feelings of guilt, damaged reputation - Risk of apprehension vs the profit/pleasure of crime Rational Choice Theory -

Crime is both offense-specific and offender-specific

-

Offense-specific - The view that an offender reacts selectively to the characteristics of a particular criminal act - Offender-specific - The view that offenders evaluate their skills, motives, needs, and fears before deciding to commit the criminal act Concepts of Rational Choice  Crime vs Criminality STRUCTURING CRIMINALITY - Parental and Peer influence -

Need for excitement and thrills

-

Thrill vs Profit Economic need and opportunity Diminished chance of legitimate labor opportunities Reality vs Perception

-

- Competence STRUCTURING CRIME - Choosing the place of crime - Familiarity -

Choosing targets

-

Attractive targets Escape Tactics for effective evasion

Rational Choice Theory: The Evidence - It is easy to illustrate that crimes are products of rational, objective thought when they involve ongoing criminal conspiracy centered on economic gain. BUT… - Is drug use rational? - Use vs Dealing - Is violence rational? - Various types/reasons for violent behavior - Is hate crime rational? -

- Evidence of 3 trigger factors Is sex crime rational? - Evidence of rational behavior for men who solicit sex workers - Various types of sex crimes

-

In sum, RCT states that crime is not a random event but the product of calculation and planning designed to provide the would-be criminal with an overall benefit - Criminal propensity is neither static nor invariable, but subject to the perceived availability of benefits and the absence of penalties - Evidence to support RCT across all forms of illegal activities - Fear of apprehension and punishment only way to control criminal behavior

-

Critiques of Rational Choice Theory - Overemphasis on individual choice with little regard for the role of social factors. - Does not consider the impact of emotional states or psychopharmacological aids. - Assumes everyone is equally capable of rational decision making.

- Individuals are not the best at realistic appraisals of risk and reward. - Target hardening à Displacement - Other than punishment and lack of rewards, what else prevents people from committing criminal behavior? Situational Crime Prevention - Situational Crime Prevention - View that crime is not simply a matter of motivation, but also opportunities -

-

Seeks to reduce or eliminate particular crimes in a specific setting Criminal acts can be prevented if: - Potential targets are carefully guarded. - The means to commit crime are controlled. - Potential offenders are carefully monitored. Crime Prevention Strategies - Increase the effort needed to commit crime - Increase the risk of committing crime - Crime discouragers

-

Reduce rewards of crime Induce guilt: increase shame

-

Reduce provocation

- Remove excuses Situational Crime Prevention: The Evidence - Hidden benefits - Diffusion -

Discouragement

-

Hidden costs - Displacement - Extinction - Replacement General Deterrence -

Fear of criminal penalties convinces potential law violators that pains of crime outweigh its benefits. General deterrence is achieved if legal sanctions are (or are perceived as) severe, certain, and swift Crime can be controlled by increasing the real or perceived threat of criminal punishment Perception and Deterrence - The actual chance and the perception that punishment will be forthcoming influence criminality. -

-

Perception of punishment appears to change and evolve over time, shaped by a potential offender’s experience and personality. - Some individuals and classes of offenders are more deterrable than others. Marginal and Restrictive Deterrence Marginal deterrence refers to relative effectiveness of punishments. Restrictive deterrence (partial deterrence) refers to situations in which the threat of punishment can reduce but not eliminate the frequency, severity, and duration of a crime. Punishment and Deterrence - Certainty of Punishment - Research shows a direct relationship between crime rates and certainty of punishment. -

-

Severity of Punishment - Little evidence that strict punishments alone can reduce criminal activities - Certainty, rather than severity, is key to deterring criminal behaviors. Swiftness of Punishment - Deterrent effect of law is neutralized if there is a significant lag between apprehension and punishment

- Court delays General Deterrence: The Evidence - Evaluating General Deterrence - Rationality

-

System effectiveness Criminals discount punishments

- Some offenders – and some crimes – are more “deterrable” than others - Deterrence alone is not effective - How do we explain high recidivism rates/chronic offending? - Crimes of compulsion Specific Deterrence -

The view that criminal sanctions should be so powerful that offenders will never repeat their criminal acts

-

- Longer incarceration may delay recidivism Specific deterrence focuses on the individual, while general deterrence focuses on more broad measures Mixed Evidence of Effectiveness - Harshest treatment may increase rather than reduce crime -

Punishment may breed defiance rather than deterrence Stigma of harsh punishment labels people Harshest punishments may cause psychological problems Effect is negligible in neighborhoods where almost everyone has criminal record

Incapacitation -

Incapacitation Effect -

-

The idea that keeping offenders in confinement will eliminate the risk of their committing further offenses - Today, more than 1 in every 100 adults is behind bars Does it work? - Advocates argue that declining crime rates is associated with increase incarceration rate -

Significant, positive relationship between incarceration and recidivism - Prisonization effect - Former inmates commit more crimes once released - Tipping point Policy Implications of Choice Theory Theory Rational choice

Major Premise

Strengths

Research Focus

Law-violating behavior occurs after Explains why high-risk people do

Offences patterns-where,

offenders weigh information on not constantly engage in crime. their personal needs and the Relates theory to crime control situational factors involved in the policy. It is not limited by class

when, and how crime takes place.

difficulty and risk of committing a crime.

or other social variables.

General deterrence

Specific Deterrence

People will commit crime if they perceive that the benefits outweigh

Shows the relationship between crime and punishment. Suggests

Perception of punishment, effect of legal sanctions,

the risks. Crime is a function of the severity, certainty, and speed of punishment.

a real solution to crime

probability of punishment, and crime rates.

If punishment is severe enough, criminals will not repeat their

Provides a strategy to reduce crime

Recidivism, repeat offending, punishment type, and crime

Recognizes the role that opportunity plays in criminal behavior. Provides a solution to chronic offending.

Prison population and crime rates, sentence length, and crime.

illegal acts. Incapacitation

Keeping known criminals out of circulation will reduce crime rates

 Criminal Justice and Rational Choice Theory -

Although research on the core principles of choice theory and deterrence theories produces mixed results, these models have had an important impact on criminal justice system crime prevention strategies. - Crackdowns- the concentration of police resources on particular problem areas to eradicate or displace criminal behavior - Focused deterrence- view that police can deter crime by using every strategy possible. Directly interacting with -

offenders and communicating clear consequences for criminal behavior Focused deterrence activates or pulls every deterrent “lever” “Three-strikes and you’re out” laws - Appeals to public sentiments but may be a premature method High security or “supermax” prisons...