Criminal Behavior And Rational Choice Theory

Criminal Behavior and the Rational Choice Theory

Based on the RCT criminals are thought to make a conscious rational decision before committing crime, they are thought to weight the benefits and costs of committing or not committing the crime. By this method criminals often decide that robbing a bank and possibly going to jail is a better alternative to staying at home and doing nothing when they have just ten days to pay their rent or move and live on the streets. The RCT assumes that all people are capable of making good conscious choices, which it can be strongly argued that many people lack the mental capacity to make a rational decision. It was the rising crime rates of the 70's and 80's that turned people away from other theories such as the classical and neo-classical and onto the RCT which was founded in the late 70's to the early 80's. (Hayward, 2007, p. 234) Under the RCT are the RAT and SCT which will both be explained better later on.

According to McCarthy's theory of RCT from 2002 people use the same thoughts and ideas when choosing to commit a crime that they use when choosing to do non-criminal activities.(Paternoster, Pogarsky, 2009, p. 107) According to this idea people choose to offend or not to offend based on their own preferences they weigh in risk factors, costs, and benefits always thinking about what happens if they get caught, if they do not get caught and if they decide ultimately to commit or not commit the crime. (Paternoster, Pogarsky, 2009, p.107) Criminals using the RCT would check out the types of crime available to them in their area then decide if the crime is worth the time. If robbing a bank and they know a possible murder is involved they may deter themselves away from the crime for fear of ...

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...y crimes committed in high crime areas and an even smaller percentage (11%) of crimes committed in low crime areas could be linked to RAT. (Pearson, 2013, 73) With this study they helped to prove that though RAT can be used to figure out why some crimes are committed it cannot always be views as the basis for all criminal activity. There are several different types of offenders and not all prey on those who do things routinely. This shows that victims do account for a small percentage of fault when they become victim to a crime, but in many other cases the victim is not at no fault and there is almost nothing that could be done differently to avoid the crime. With RAT simply going to the ATM during the day instead of late at night makes you less likely to fall victim, however under the critique of RAT you may still be robbed even if you visit the ATM during the day.