Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theories Routine Activities

  • Slides: 10
Download presentation
Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theories

Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theories

Routine Activities Theory • Direct contact predatory violations • Illegal activities feed off of

Routine Activities Theory • Direct contact predatory violations • Illegal activities feed off of legal activities

Three Necessary Conditions for Direct Contact Predatory Crime • Suitable target • Lack of

Three Necessary Conditions for Direct Contact Predatory Crime • Suitable target • Lack of capable guardianship • Motivated offender - assumed

Criminal Motivation Assumed • Motivation is ever-present • Variation in suitable targets and capable

Criminal Motivation Assumed • Motivation is ever-present • Variation in suitable targets and capable guardianship explains crime patterns

Explaining Crime Patterns • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 • Robbery victimization peaks

Explaining Crime Patterns • Increase in household burglary 1950 -1980 • Robbery victimization peaks at night

Target Suitability Motor vehicles and parts Electronic appliances Large, durable goods Furniture Amount stolen

Target Suitability Motor vehicles and parts Electronic appliances Large, durable goods Furniture Amount stolen per $100 spent $26. 44 $6. 82 $0. 08 $0. 12 Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979

Household Guardianship Burglary/Robbery Rates (per 1, 000) Number in Household Age Two +. 095.

Household Guardianship Burglary/Robbery Rates (per 1, 000) Number in Household Age Two +. 095. 079 Ratio 18 -35 36 -55 One. 20. 161 56 + . 107 . 01 1. 76 All Ages . 144 . 081 1. 78 2. 11 2. 04 Also, proportion of households unattended has increased over time Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979

Rational Choice Theory • Routine activities takes macro-level view • Rational choice takes a

Rational Choice Theory • Routine activities takes macro-level view • Rational choice takes a situational view • Complimentary perspectives

Rational Choice Theory • Bounded rationality decision making • Offenders are opportunists

Rational Choice Theory • Bounded rationality decision making • Offenders are opportunists

Implications for Crime Prevention • If offenders decisions are situationally bounded, then how should

Implications for Crime Prevention • If offenders decisions are situationally bounded, then how should we go about reducing offending?