Rational Choice Theory Vs Routine Activity Theory

Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory are two of several different theories used in criminology. These two theories can help a person examine why a person would commit a crime in the first place. In this paper, I will explain that these two theories are as well as compare and contrast the two theories. Routine Activity Theory was developed by Marcus Felson and Lawrence E. Cohen. Routine activity theory helps identify criminal activity and behavior through explanation in crime rate. (Cohen Felson,1979). Cohen and Felson said that the number of possible offenders or offender motivation does not actually affect the crime rate. Routine activity theory has three stipulations that make it up; a likely offender, a suitable target,†¦show more content†¦Access refers to how easily a target can be obtained by an offender. All three of these elements are vital to routine activity theory and can cause an uptick in crime without any change in the criminal population. Rational Choice Theory takes in to account when a person thinks through the actual crime they are committing to decide whether or not said crime in worth it. Usually the goals of the crime being committed somehow benefits the offender is some way whether it be financially, emotionally, etc. Cornish and Clark (1985) state that rational choice theory is based on three assumptions; â€Å"criminal offenders are rational and make choices and decisions that benefit themselves; a crime- specific focus is required; and there is a distinction between choices related to criminal involvement and decisions related to criminal events†. Rational choice theory examines the choices of an offender and the influences that affect the decision to commit a crime such as morality, risks, and rewards. Risk and rewards heavily effects an offender’s decision of a target (Clarke,1983). The risk level is the first factor taken into consideration when determining whether a target is good or bad t o an offender. Offenders are often selfish and only think about their personnel situation and how committing a crime will affect their personal goals. According to Gul (2009) there are eight fundamentals of the rational choice theory: â€Å"The humanShow MoreRelatedRunning Head:. Response Paper 1 Response Paper 3. Advanced1277 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: RESPONSE PAPER 1 RESPONSE PAPER 3 Advanced Criminological Theory Nathan Kelley Arizona State University Response Paper Crime in the 20th century has become one of the most widely studied areas of research. Today, I am going to briefly outline some of the theories of crime that are used to study the subject. What I will be evaluating these theories against will be small scale property crime such as theft. Classical theory states that crime is committed when there are more benefits to committingRead MoreThe Theory Of Crime And Crime1260 Words   |  6 Pagesof research. 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