chapter 13 Flashcards
choice theory
the framework for understanding how individuals made decisions by weighing the percieved costs and benefits of an action
rational choice theory
a modern version of classical school thinking originating in economics; it assumes that humans are rational and have free will and that offenders make conscious choices to commit crimes based on a cost-benefit analysis
When does an individual commit a crime
when the perceived benefits of the crime outweigh the costs
bounded rationality (limited rationality, intuitive decisions; irrationality)
decisions are often made imperfectly as best guesses given available information and time constraints. decisions are bounded by the limits of our knowledge and circumstances, and so our rationality is bounded
utility maximization
choices are made based on what someone perceives will provide the greatest rewards for the lowest costs
impulsive decisions
they are made too quickly, without thinking
imperfect decisions
they are based on poor or wrong information
impaired decisions
they are impaired by emotion, alcohol, or drugs.
script
the steps in decision-making and the sequence of actions for a particular criminal event
routine activity theory
Felon’s theory that everyday routine and legitimate activities are key determinants of crime opportunities
who is considered a potential/likely offender
anyone can be tempted or provoked to choose to commit a crime.
potential offender defined
individuals who may be more experienced or actively searching for crime aka a suitable target
capable guardian
any passbyer who may intervein
“suitable targets” are CRAVED
concealable, removable, available, valuable, enjoyable, and disposable
crime pattern theory
a theory that helps explain how crime patterns arise; it asserts that crime is not random.
routine activity theory original proposal
originally proposed to explain why crime rates in most industrialized countries increased in the second half of the 20th century.
crime opportunitey theory
the set of theories and concepts that are underpinned by the notion that the level of crime opportunities is the main cause of crime
dispositional theories
theories that seek to explain variations between individuals in their tendency or disposition to commit crime
situational crime prevention
measures taken to reduce crime opportunities, SCP takes into account the nature of the crime, the environmental factors that allow for the crime, and the risks and rewards associated with crime.
designing out crime
the concept that crime prevention can start at the design process is that products and places with potential criminal threats or opportunities in mind
environmental criminology
a term coined by C.Ray Jeffery; it focuses on the environment as a key area of interest in understanding how and why crime occurs
