Rational Choice Theory Flashcards
How does it draw on classicism theory?
It argues people commit crime based on profit-loss and pleasure-pain principle.
Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish theory
Offenders make a sequence of choices influenced by social and psychological motivations. These are called the 6 propositions.
6 propositions
1) Crimes are purposive to benefit the offender.
2) Offenders aim to make the best decision based on risks.
3) Decision-making varies depending on the nature of the crime and specific benefits likely to follow.
4) Decisions about becoming involved in crime that differ from those relating to commission of act.
5) Involvement decisions comprise 3 stages at different points in criminal career.
6) Event decisions involve a series of choices made at each stage of the criminal act.
3 stages of the 5th proposition
Initiation - is the person ready to commit crime?
Habituation - should they continue after they’ve started?
Desistance - should they, at some stage, stop?
4 stages of the 6th proposition
- Preparation
- Target selection
- Escape
- Aftermath
Crime scripts
Step-by-step accounts of the decision-making process involved in particular crimes.
Why should we use crime scripts?
They help us to understand how crime is related to needs, wants and contexts. They also help us think of responses.
Tunnell’s findings
Rational decision making was limited and based on unrealistic assessments of risk, where little planning took place and limited awareness of sanctions.
Cromwell et al’s findings on burglary
There was a partial rational calculation of gains and risks.
De Hann and Voss findings on street robbery
There were elements of rationality but also elements of impulsivity and desperation.