Ch 15. Deterrence, Routine Activity and Rational Choice Flashcards
A theory that sees factors influencing an individual’s decision to commit a crime and assert that the legal system can be used to affect that decision. People rationally calculate the consequences of their behaviour, so the best way to prevent is to set up punishment as deterrence
Deterrence Theories
A theory that claims crime is a deliberate choice from the calculation of rewards + risks. People commit crime b/c because they believe crime will provide a reward
Rational Choice Theory
A theory that states crime will not occur unless there is a
- motivated offender
- a suitable target
- ineffective guardianship of that target
Routine Activities Theory
Deterrence Theory is founded on Beccaria’s Classical Theory which states that
People rationally calculate the consequences of their behaviour, meaning that the best way to control crime is to set up a system of punishments to prevent crime.
What are three points from Beccaria about how punishment as a deterrent should be? (deterrence theory) (3)
- severe enough to deter people
- proportionate to crime
- swift + certain
Even though deterrence is effective to some extent research shows that…
…certainty of punishment is more important than the severity of punishment.
General Deterrence Theory is made up of two factors:
- perceived certainty
- perceived severity
Are long prison sentences easy or difficult to justify on a deterrence-based, crime-prevention basis?
difficult to justify, in fact, imprisonment may increase the rates of recidivism.
Mandatory sentences/mandatory minimums are widely used, but there has been much debate about their effectiveness. Research finds that there is…
…insufficient credible evidence to conclude that mandatory penalties have significant deterrent effects.
The main thesis of rational choice theory:
crime is the result of deliberate choices made by offenders based on their calculation of the risks and rewards. However, humans prefer short-term costs/benefits than long-term considerations
A type of criminology that examines the target search process of offenders that precedes involvement in a crime. Examines enviornemntal opportunies that influence criminal decisions
Environmental Criminology
In Environmental Criminology (under rational choice theory), crime patterns are analyzed in terms of the following (3)
- Nodes: places frequented by the criminal
- Paths: routes between nodes
- Edges: boundaries between different types of land use, where social control may be weaker or targets attractive
In Routine Activities theory, the changes in any the three factors: motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of guardianship leads to an…
increase or decrease in crime
Five Situational Crime Prevention
- Limit access to targets
- Increasing surveillance
- Reduce rewards of offending
- Reduce the allure of offending
- Establish clear rules and limits
Crime prevention through social development:
Social development strategies often target young people, who are the most amenable to intervention and who make up the next generation of offenders
