The concept of crime is an area in human sociology with a rich record of theories and deliberations by enthusiasts, researchers, and academicians. Rational choice and routine activities theories are just but part of the superfluous record of these theories in criminology. Scrutiny on their definition, description, elements, and primary policy application will be done comprehensively and systematically in the spirit of theory comprehension.
The first theory is the rational choice theory which traverses not only the field of philosophy but that of economics, social sciences, political sciences, and psychology (Wittek, 2013). It is, in fact, a sensation in economics more than it is in sociology (Zey, 2015). This theory states that choices are made in accordance with self-interests and objectives of attaining the most significant benefit. The rational choice theory uses the same logic the theory of utilitarianism uses where actions that maximize happiness are fostered, and those that cause harm or unhappiness are shunned (Marseille & Kahn, 2019). In other words, the theory has its foundations on the premise of dictating individual self-interest utility maximization. Social scientists have used the theory to comprehend human behavior. In doing so, these scientists built the whole theory on three assumptions. One is individualism, two, individuals have to maximize their goals, and three, individuals are self-centered (Gül, 2022).
Traditionally criminology theories portrayed criminals as individuals driven by conditioning and their environment. The rational choice theory departs from this notion portraying them as reasonable decision makers who weigh their decisions to commit crimes based on an analysis of risk and profits (Gül, 2022). It is no wonder that the theory thrives better in the corporate and economic realms. It perfectly explains white-collar crime. Criminals choose crime for its benefits (Gül, 2022). The theory presupposes that if the costs of crime are high, offenders can be successfully restrained and deterred from doing it (Gül, 2022). If the benefits of crime are way higher than the costs, crime, without a doubt, occurs. The three elements of this theory include individual preference, belief, and constraints to realize it. Cornish and Clark’s researchers on the subject affirmed the idea that offenders are goal-oriented and often exhibit a measure of rationality based on the costs and benefits of the Crime (Gül, 2022).
Paternoster and Bachman criticize this theory stating that even though it is logical to affirm crime is done by choice, it is difficult to agree on what amounts to a “rational” choice (Gül, 2022). Jones also joins them, stating that rational choice is extremely wrong at the behavioral level. He uses biological constitutions to strengthen the concept of bounded rationality. With bounded rationality, individuals are highly limited when making decisions (Gül, 2022). But even with that being so, the rational choice theory has aided researchers in exploring how offenders transform criminal orientation decisions into actual crime and structuring physical environments with surveillance strategies.
The second theory is the routine activities theory. It is one of the theories in the category of “environmental criminology.” Its underlying rationale is the supposition that anyone can commit a crime as long as they get the opportunity. To expound on this, Cohen and Felson (1979) explained it by the introduction of three elements (NSW, 2011). With the routine activity theory, there must be an accessible target, no guardianship, and a motivated offender (NSW, 2011). A combination of these elements results in crime. That means that to stop a crime rampage framework for the prevention of crime must target and focus on all three of these elements (NSW, 2011). Accessible targets can be persons, places, or objects. No guardship or absence thereof refers to the lack of “human elements” that could intervene commission of a crime (NSW, 2011).
A guardian is usually an individual who, by mere presence, could deter offenders from the potential commission of a crime. The person does not have to be necessarily present (NSW, 2011). Technology such as CCTV cameras meet the criteria so long there is someone on the other end at all times. Capable guardians include police patrols, friends, neighbors, vigilant co-workers, security guards, and neighbors (NSW, 2011). A motivated offender is an individual who asses a situation to see if there is a suitable target with no presence of a guardian (NSW, 2011). With the routine theory, the offender’s point of view determines if the crime will occur or not.
The difference between the rational choice and the routine activities theory is that the routine activity theory majors on the explanation of the elements of crime and the potential to prevent it, while the rational choice theory emphasizes the procedure in which offenders make decisions. Even though slightly different, both of these theories have an impact on the policy application. The routine activity theory has been used in the creation of policies principally focused on crime prevention (MIRÓ, 2022). To reduce crime by this theory, opportunities to commit these crimes must also be reduced. For that to happen, structures of crime must be altered by eliminating opportunity, increasing effort, calculating risks, reducing benefits, and minimizing excuses. Apart from this, by using the routine activity choice theory, researchers analyze and identify high crime areas (MIRÓ, 2022). Crime concentrations in specific areas are identified, and relevant agencies such as law enforcement are informed. Sometimes the research is so detailed that the different kinds of crime likely to happen in given areas are reported, and victimization is predicted (MIRÓ, 2022). Policies are then made to take of these scenarios. Such policies include heightened security by an increase of patrol officers, security cameras, street lights, and alarms inter alia.
The theory is also used to learn and study. Sexual crimes, robbery, and, recently, cybercrime have been intrinsically and extrinsically understood better by scholars (MIRÓ, 2022). Because of the routine activity theory, characteristics of these crimes have been known better and policies made based on the different environments, and criminal opportunities speculated.
On the other hand, the rational choice theory informs policies that operate on the foundations of incentives and sanctions. This theory affects many policies that mostly affect the economic world and government activity. With the rational choice theory, policies such as those that enhance payment of taxes, transactional regulations, ethical standards, sanctions, fines, and penalties are put in place. It helps make those who have intentions of unjustly enriching themselves think twice about it.
To sum up, this paper has completely analyzed the rational choice theory and the routine activities theory together with the policy application. The two theories address crime, albeit in slightly different ways but for the same reasons for crime reduction. If well understood, they aid foster crime prevention. With the right effort, they can realize staunch and just policies.
References
Gül, S. (2022). An Evaluation of the Rational Choice Theory in Criminology. Retrieved 24 September 2022, from https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.856.8815&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Marseille, E., & Kahn, J. (2019). Utilitarianism and the ethical foundations of cost-effectiveness analysis in resource allocation for global health. Philosophy, Ethics, And Humanities In Medicine, 14(1). doi: 10.1186/s13010-019-0074-7 https://peh-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13010-019-0074-7
MIRÓ, F. (2022). Routine Activity Theory. Retrieved 25 September 2022, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/9781118517390.wbetc198
NSW. (2011). Routine Activity Theory Crime Prevention. Retrieved 24 September 2022, from https://www.crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au/Documents/routine_activity_factsheet_nov2014.pdf
Wittek, R. (2013). Rational choice. www.researchgate.net doi: 10.1177/205684601372 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281204696_Rational_Choice
Zey, M. (2015). Rational Choice Theory. Retrieved 24 September 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/rational-choice-theory
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