Ch 15. Deterrence, Routine Activity and Rational Choice

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Deterrence Theories

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Rational Choice Theory

Question 3

A theory that states crime will not occur unless there is a

1. motivated offender
2. a suitable target
3. ineffective guardianship of that target

Answer 3

Routine Activities Theory

Question 4

Deterrence Theory is founded on Beccaria’s Classical Theory which states that

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

What are three points from Beccaria about how punishment as a deterrent should be? (deterrence theory) (3)

Answer 5

1. severe enough to deter people
2. proportionate to crime
3. swift + certain

Question 6

Even though deterrence is effective to some extent research shows that…

Answer 6

…certainty of punishment is more important than the severity of punishment.

Question 7

General Deterrence Theory is made up of two factors:

Answer 7

1. perceived certainty
2. perceived severity

Question 8

Are long prison sentences easy or difficult to justify on a deterrence-based, crime-prevention basis?

Answer 8

difficult to justify, in fact, imprisonment may increase the rates of recidivism.

Question 9

Mandatory sentences/mandatory minimums are widely used, but there has been much debate about their effectiveness. Research finds that there is…

Answer 9

…insufficient credible evidence to conclude that mandatory penalties have significant deterrent effects.

Question 10

The main thesis of rational choice theory:

Answer 10

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

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Environmental Criminology

Question 12

In Environmental Criminology (under rational choice theory), crime patterns are analyzed in terms of the following (3)

Answer 12

1. Nodes: places frequented by the criminal
2. Paths: routes between nodes
3. Edges: boundaries between different types of land use, where social control may be weaker or targets attractive

Question 13

In Routine Activities theory, the changes in any the three factors: motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of guardianship leads to an…

Answer 13

increase or decrease in crime

Question 14

Five Situational Crime Prevention

Answer 14

1. Limit access to targets
2. Increasing surveillance
3. Reduce rewards of offending
4. Reduce the allure of offending
5. Establish clear rules and limits

Question 15

Crime prevention through social development:

Answer 15

Social development strategies often target young people, who are the most amenable to intervention and who make up the next generation of offenders

Question 16

What strategies work?

Answer 16

most sensible strategies involve all the different strategies

Paying attention to the social determinants of crime

social factors (e.g., income, employment, education) that lead to exclusion and discrimination, and ultimately to inequities in justice outcomes

Paying attention to ACE (Adverse Childhood Effects) and systemic oppression

Question 17

what crimes have mandatory minimum sentences been applied to?

Answer 17

1st/2nd degree murder, sexual assualt, drug offences, gun crimes

Question 18

a theory that examines how some people put themselves in social settings with high risk of victimization

Answer 18

Lifestyle Exposure Theory (under rational choice theory)

Question 19

an increase in suitable target number, value, and accessibility leads to an…

Answer 19

…increase in crime. For offenders, risk factors are a major consideration for target suitability

Question 20

hot spot policing as a deterrent (deterrence theory)

Answer 20

focusing police resources on high-crime areas can reduce crime, but has been critiqued for creating a cycle of over-policing

Question 21

informing individuals of consequences ensuring consequences, and education about punishment & social impacts of crime.

Answer 21

Individualized Deterrence
(deterrence theory)