criminal theory paper

7/31/2019 Criminal Theory Paper

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Criminal Theory Paper

Choice theories have immensely contributed to the understanding of crimes in

particular and criminal justice system in general. While the trait theorists attributed the origin

of crimes to certain biological and psychological traits in individuals and argued that some

individuals are more vulnerable to criminal activities, it was the choice theorists who conceived

crimes to be rational choices made by individuals. Similarly, the sociological theorists held that

the disadvantaged people are more likely to commit crimes than others whereas the choice

theorists purported that everyone is likely to commit crimes when they one is provided with

conducive opportunities. This paper seeks to identify and describe the various choice theories

and how they relate to crime. The paper also deals with the common models used by society to

determine which acts are considered to be criminal, how they are affected by choice theories,

and how they are enforced by the government.

It is essential to identify the various choice theories and how they contribute to an in

depth understanding of how crimes are being perceived by the society and the criminal justice

system. Regoli and Hewitt have made some remarkable studies on the various choice theories

on crimes and for the researchers choice theories hold that people have free will, are rational

and intelligent, and make informed decisions to commit crimes based on whether they believe

they will benefit from doing so (Regoli & Hewitt 66). Thus, an individual has the free will to

decide whether to commit a crime or refrain from it in given situations. The ultimate choice of

indulging in crimes rests on the individual himself. Very often, individuals commit crimes only

after evaluating the possible benefits as well as the consequences of the action in their lives. It

can thus be inferred that individuals tend to keep themselves away from crimes when such

consequences of crimes would lead them to pain, punishment, imprisonment or even death

penalty.


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Choice theories can generally be categorized into rational choice theory, the routine

activities theory and the life style theory. All these choice theories underline the fact that people

are more inclined to commit crimes when right opportunities arise and there is nothing to deter

or de-motivate them from such choices. The rational choice theory was developed and

propagated by Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish. The authors argue that offenders are rational

people who make calculated choices before they commit a criminal act and as such they

collect, process, and evaluate information about the crime; they weigh the costs and benefits

of the crime before they make the decision to commit it (Regoli & Hewitt 67). Thus, the

rational choice theorists argue that offenders commit planned crimes where they decide whom

to target and in what way to operate their criminal activities. The theory has great significance

in the criminal justice system. It is imperative that there are powerful provisions of punishment

and deterrence in the criminal justice system to put an end to rational choice crimes. From a

rational choice perspective the decisions of the offenders regarding the crime are quite

purposive, intentional and deliberative. However, these decisions can be biased on limited

information, made under pressure, insufficiently planned, and/or attentive only to the

immediate risks of apprehension rather than to the long-term consequences of their actions

(Lilly, Ball & Cullen 342). Most often, crimes based on choice theories stem from the

offenders attempts to satisfy his/her needs to earn money, acquire social status or to take

revenge. On the other hand, the offender would always try to get rid of the negative

consequences of the crime which include arrest, punishment and imprisonment. However,

rational choice theory does not focus very much on the background factors that are involved in

the making of crimes. On the other hand, rational choice theory stresses on the need to

implement situational crime prevention whereby such situations that would promote offenses

could be brought under control. The focus of situational crime prevention should on making


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crime more difficult to commit or less profitable so that it becomes a less attractive choice

(Lilly, Ball & Cullen 343).

The routine activities theory conceives crime as a convergence of three elements. The

theory holds that crimes occur when three elements converge: motivated offenders, suitable

targets and an absence of people to deter the would-be offender (Regoli & Hewitt 67). The

routine activities theory presupposes that crimes would be high when motivated offenders are

exposed to vulnerable targets without any protection and vice versa. On the other hand, the life

style choice theory offers predominance to such situations that would lead to potential crimes.

The life style theorists argue that people become crime victims because of the situations in

which they put themselves (Regoli & Hewitt 67). As such anyone who spends time alone on

dimly lit streets at night with no bystanders or people who spend more time away from their

home are at a greater risk of being victimized. It is therefore significant that the society

develops secure life style habits that would protect it from unwanted visibility and accessibility

to criminals.

The implications of choice theories on crimes and criminal justice system are many and

varied. The choice theories offer a clear cut explanation to why crimes have been committed

and provide the criminal justice system with competent crime control strategies that would

benefit both the government and the society. It should be borne in mind that offenders indulge

in crimes based on anticipated opportunities and rewards. The implications of the theory point

out that individuals will decide not to commit crimes when the risks are too high or the

rewards are not adequate-an idea that differs from traditional criminal theory, which implies

that criminal behavior in inevitable (Boba 62). As such, it is essential to find out why people

choose to commit crimes in certain situations and all such situations should be overcome

through effective policies, laws, enforcement and governmental interventions. One should


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always bear in mind that crimes are the result of conscious decision making rather than from

background factors.

In conclusion it is worthwhile to consider how the choice theories contribute to crime

prevention strategies in the society. According to Siegel, choice theories point towards not only

situational crime prevention; on the other hand, choice theories throw light on various general

deterrence strategies, specific deterrence strategies and incapacitation strategies. While the

general deterrence strategies are aimed at making potential criminals fear the consequences of

crime the specific deterrence strategy refers to punishing known criminals so severely that

they will never be tempted to repeat their offenses (Siegel 129). The general deterrence calls

for the need for such punishments as death penalty, mandatory sentences, and aggressive

policing whereas the specific deterrence strategy presupposes harsh prisons and stiff fines. It is

also imperative to implement incapacitation strategies to reduce crime rates by denying

motivated offenders the opportunity to commit crime by placing potential offenders behind the

bars through appropriate prison sentences. Thus it can be concluded that the choice theories

propagate that any individual is free to choose between committing a crime or refraining from

it. The choice theories have been proved to be the cornerstone of the American criminal justice

system today and the implications of the theory envisage a criminal justice system that offers

strong deterrence through competent policies, severe punishments and prison sentencing

including capital punishment.


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Works Cited

Boba, Rachel. Crime analysis and crime mapping. Illustrated ed: SAGE, 2005. Print.

Lilly, J. Robert., Ball, Richard A & Cullen, Francis T. Criminological Theory: Context and

Consequences. 5th Illustrated ed: SAGE, 2010. Print.

Regoli, Robert M & Hewitt, John D. Exploring Criminal Justice: The Essentials. Jones &

Bartlett Learning, 2009. Print.

Siegel, Larry J. Criminology. 11th ed: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.

criminal theory paper

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