Rational Offender - Criminological Theory - Lecture Notes, Study notes of Criminology

Download Rational Offender - Criminological Theory - Lecture Notes and more Study notes Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! The Rational Offender Deterrence Theory Rational Choice Theory Routine Activities Theory Social Context • Classical School Criminology (1750s) – Bentham, Beccaria as “utilitarian philosophers” – Articulated a “general theory” of human behavior • Rebirth of Deterrence – Social Context of U.S. in the 1970s – Murray, Martinson, Economists Base Assumptions about Humans 1. Rational (cost/benefit) 2. Hedonistic 3. Human behavior can be controlled through certain, swift, severe punishment Additional Baggage (assumptions) • General theory (explains all crime) • Equally feel pain • Equally judge opportunity, pleasure Deterrence Theory • Criminal behavior (or crime rates) vary directly with _______ of FORMAL punishment. – Certainty – Severity – Swiftness • MICRO or MACRO? • Specific or General Marginal versus Absolute • Absolute deterrence: the existence of formal punishment reduces crime Docsity.com • Marginal: increases in existing formal punishment reduces crime further General Deterrence (Macro) • What should reduce crime rates? • Evidence: – Severity of Punishment • Death Penalty Research – Certainty of Punishment • Experiments in Certainty (KC patrol) – Swiftness of Punishment? General Deterrence Micro Level • An individuals perceptions of _______ influence their decision to commit crimes. – “Perceptual Deterrence” • Criticism of “objective” = do people really know the clearance rate? – Better: what do you think the clearance rate is? Perceptual Deterrence Research • Initial cross sectional studies: Perceived risk, severity SR crime – But, what is the causal order?? – Deterrence vs. “Experiential” effect • Manipulation of Perceived Risk – Scared Straight Specific Deterrence • A person who commits a crime and is punished is less likely to commit additional crimes. – Swift, Certain, Severe (Marginal) • How test these propositions? Testing Specific Deterrence • Prison vs. Probation? – Perhaps, “time in prison” or “type of prison” • More realistically Docsity.com