Routine Activity Theory Presented by Curtis M Kularski

Routine Activity Theory Presented by Curtis M. Kularski Sociology of Deviant Behavior Fayetteville State University 15 April 2011

Routine Activity Theory • a criminology theory that sets forth the premise that crime occurs because of opportunity. According to routine activity theory, crime requires only a motivated offender, an appealing target and the lack of capable protection for the target. The theory declines sociological causes of crime (Felson and Cohen, 1979)

About the Theory First Published in 1979 � Published by Marcus Felson and Lawrence E. Cohen � Extension of Rational Choice Theory � (Felson and Cohen, 1979) � Created In Response to Positive Economic Climate with High Crime � (Miller, 2006: 82) �

Marcus Felson Lawrence Cohen Founders of Routine Activity Theory Primary interest: Crime ecology � Professor of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University � Active researcher: 1972 – present � Born in 1947 � (Rutgers, 2011) � Primary interest: Delinquency � Active researcher : 1975 – 2006 � Professor of Sociology at University of California – Davis � (UC-Davis, 2011) �

Crime and Victim Criteria � Motivated Offender � Absence of Capable Guardian � Suitable Target � (Felson and Cohen, 1979)

What makes a motivated offender? � Capable and willing to commit crime � Motivation of need or excitement � Perhaps has nothing to lose � Rewards greater than consequences � (Burke, 2009)

What constitutes a capable guardian? People or objects that deter crime � Police � Dog � Neighborhood Watch � Alarm system � Locking devices � (Burke, 2009) � “Routine Activity” deters crime � (Felson, 1994) �

What is a suitable target? Person or object of interest � (Burke, 2009) � Value – value of the target to offender � Inertia – tangible ability to move � Visibility – offender has knowledge of target � Accessibility – access to target and route of escape for offender � (Miller, 2006: 82) �

What causes crime? � Convergence of: › a motivated offender, › inadequate guardian, › and a suitable target � at the same place and time � (Akers, 2004: 33)

Problem Analysis Triangle � (Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, 2008)

Problem Analysis Triangle Key to “environmental criminology” � Utilizes Routine Activities Theory � Each component of the R. A. T. triad is acted on by an agent � Each “agent” has specific tools (physical and knowledge) � One “agent” can fulfill multiple roles � (Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, 2011) �

Application of Theory � Music Piracy & Copyright Violations › Offender is motivated by desire for music › Digital media is poorly protected › Media is in itself a suitable target �Desirability �Low chance of being caught

Application of Theory (“brandomocha”, 2009)

Application of Theory � Offender is capable of committing the crime � There is no guardian for the vehicle except the security camera � Vehicle is visible and accessible. Items in vehicle have necessary inertia and value

Application of Theory � (Boca Raton Police Department, 2008)

Application of Theory Offender likely feels rewards greater than potential consequences � Bank policies limit capabilities of otherwise “capable” guardian � Cash is universally valuable and very mobile � Bank is a visible and accessible target �

Application of Theory � (Cornelisse, 2008)

Application of Theory Offender is motivated by personal satisfaction � Security measures for signs are not strong enough � Target provides amusement (value) and is accessible through an electronic communication system. Inertia is not a factor �

Application of Theory � (Kaxi Productions, 2009)

Application of Theory Offender is motivated by prospect of a “high” � Individual’s inhibitions seem insufficient to stop deviance � No other guardians present � Target is an intangible construct, a “high”, therefore it is as accessible as the drug �

Criticisms of the Theory � Definition for “motivated offender” too broad � Criminal intent not specified � Any component missing prevents crime � (Akers, 2004: 33) � Blames victim � (Miller, 2006: 87)

Questions About the Theory How does theory describe violent crime? � What can be learned from theory? � How do we create a “capable” guardian? � Is it useful beyond property crime? �

Bibliography Akers, Ronald L. 2004. Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application. 4 th edition. Los Angeles, California: Roxbury Publishing Company. � Boca Raton Police Department. 2008. “Bank Robbery”. Retrieved 9 April 2011 [http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=XVhaqoelq. F g] �

Bibliography “brandomocha”. 2009. “Car burglary caught on surveillance camera in Los Angeles”. Retrieved 9 April 2011 [http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=E-ph. Mtq. Oq 4] � Burke, T. 2009. Routine Activity Theory. In Janet K. Wilson (Ed. ), The Praeger Handbook of Victimology, (pp. 232 -233). Santa Barbara, California: Praeger. �

Bibliography Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. 2011. “A Theory of Crime Problems”. Retrieved 13 April 2011 [http: //www. popcenter. org/learning/pam/help/the ory. cfm] � Cornelisse, Max. 2008. Hacking the Highway Traffic Signs. Retrieved 8 April 2011 [http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=32 Jg. SJYp. L 8 o] �

Bibliography Felson, Marcus. 1979. Social Change and Crime Rate Trends: A Routine Activities Approach. American Sociological Review, 44: 588 -608. Retrieved 8 April 2011 [http: //www. jstor. org/stable/2094589] � Felson, Marcus. 1994. Crime and Everyday Life. Insight and Implications for Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. �

Bibliography Kaxi Productions. 2009. “How to Roll a Joint”. Retrieved 11 April 2011 [http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Epl. UQt. Pmj 8 g] � Miller, J. Mitchell, Christopher J. Schreck, and Richard Tewksbury. 2006. Criminological Theory: A Brief Introduction. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon �

Bibliography Rutgers University - Newark. 2011. “Marcus Felson, CV”. Retrieved 12 April 2011 [http: //www. newark. rutgers. edu/rscj/faculty/felso n. html] � University of California – Davis. 2011. “Larry Cohen, Department of Sociology”. Retrieved 12 April 2011 [http: //sociology. ucdavis. edu/people/fzlarry] �