Cause of Crime: Rational Choice Theory

Question 1

Who’s idea is rational choice theory

Answer 1

• Clarke and Cornish

Question 2

What does Rational choice theory state

Answer 2

most criminals are rational actors. If the criminal calculates that the risk of getting caught is low, or that the punishment if caught will not be severe, then they are more likely to commit crime, assuming the reward for doing that crime is high enough. They are rational in that they weigh up the costs and benefits in order to assess whether a crime is worth committing

Question 3

What is the idea that crime is?

Answer 3

a matter of choice

Question 4

How will rational choice theory predict that crime will increase?

Answer 4

If crime brings higher rewards relative to working within the rules of society. Rewards could be material, or they could be higher status or more security.

There is no risk of getting caught committing a crime

There is no punishment for crime

Question 5

Situational Crime

Answer 5

involves protecting specific targets from potential criminals – by putting window locks on windows, or putting CCTV in a shop