How is criminal behavior explicable according to rational choice theory?
This theory propounds that a personal makes a rational choice to commit a crime to benefit him/herself. The criminal knows the behavior is risky but takes the chance of not being caught.
Check this site for more information.
http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/ratchoc.html
These sites may give you some insight into this question.
http://www.justice.govt.nz/pubs/reports/2005/burglary/police-practice-literature-review/chapter-1.html
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:EJ2yTu16oTUJ:www.sidos.ch/method/RC28/abstracts/Rolf%2520Becker.pdf+criminal+behavior+explicable+according+to+rational+choice+theory&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:7wPCM-29RlAJ:www.law.indiana.edu/ilj/volumes/v77/no1/wendell.pdf+criminal+behavior+explicable+according+to+rational+choice+theory&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
According to rational choice theory, criminal behavior is explicable by understanding the decision-making process of individuals. The theory suggests that individuals engage in criminal activities after carefully considering the potential benefits and costs associated with their actions.
To explain criminal behavior using rational choice theory, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the key elements: Rational choice theory focuses on three main elements - the offender's motivations, the opportunities available, and the perceived risks involved in committing the crime. Understanding these factors helps explain why someone might choose to engage in criminal behavior.
2. Assess motivations: People engage in criminal behavior when they believe the benefits outweigh the potential costs. These benefits can include financial gain, satisfaction of personal desires, or resolving conflicting interests. Insights into an individual's motivations can provide understanding into their decision-making process.
3. Evaluate opportunities: Rational choice theory emphasizes that individuals assess the availability of opportunities for criminal behavior. Factors such as lack of guardianship, weak security measures, or high vulnerability of potential victims can make committing a crime seem more appealing. Evaluating the presence or absence of these opportunities helps explain why individuals may choose to engage in criminal behavior.
4. Consider perceived risks: Rational actors consider the potential risks associated with any decision. When it comes to criminal behavior, individuals weigh factors such as the likelihood of being caught, the severity of the punishment, and the effectiveness of law enforcement. If the perceived risks are low, individuals may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities.
5. Analyze trade-offs: Rational choice theory also asserts that individuals make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis. If the perceived benefits of criminal behavior outweigh the potential costs, individuals may choose to commit a crime. Understanding the offender's calculations of these trade-offs can provide further insight into criminal behavior.
It is important to note that rational choice theory is not the sole explanation for criminal behavior, as other factors such as social, psychological, and biological influences can also contribute. However, by considering the decision-making process of individuals and the factors they evaluate before engaging in criminal activities, rational choice theory provides one possible explanation for criminal behavior.