Tenets of Rational choice theory and Situation Crime Prevention (Essay Sample)

Crime Choice theory
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Introduction
Crime theories where developed to help in explaining and understanding the change of criminal activities. They are also used to explain how crimes occur and why they occur. Crime theories are thus one of the key reasons for helping understand what leads to people performing a particular criminal behavior. This enables people to make informed decisions on treatment among other policy changes. The crime theories argue that people commit crimes for different reasons.
Tenets of Rational choice theory and Situation Crime Prevention
This is one of the oldest theories when it comes to the study of criminal behavior. It was first developed during the 18th century and has been expanded since then in many different ways. Most of the criminal behavior developed since they have been linked to the rational choice and situational crime prevention. In fact, the rational choice theory has been used in both criminal and non-criminal actions. Some of the tenets of the theory evolve around committing some act due to the reward gained from the act that is greater than the associated risk. At this, the rational choice does not look at the psychological, biological, and environmental factors, which might compel an individual to commit a crimeCITATION Dan00 \l 1033 (Farrell & Hodgkinson, Crime choice theory, 2015). The theory clearly states that the cost of the crime is what determines a decision to become a criminal.
At this criminal will always look at the benefit of not committing the crime, but will, in the end, determine that the rewards are far greater than the benefit of not committing the crime. This makes crime a purposive behavior with the intention to meet the offender’s basic needs and desire for money, class, lifestyle, sex and other forms of excitementCITATION Dan00 \l 1033 (Farrell & Hodgkinson, Crime choice theory, 2015). To meet these needs the individual has to go through some choices and decisions thus the rational choice needs to be reached.
Situational crime prevention, on the other hand, argues in every crime, there is always a decision behind it. At this, the individual will weigh the risks and the gains, in most cases, this is whey offenders will always approach crime by choosing a suitable target. In any crime thus, the theory asserts that the offender must be motivated, there should be a lack of control and a suitable victim CITATION Far10 \l 1033 (Farrell, Situational Crime Prevention and its Discontent: Rational Choice and Harm reduction versus 'Cultural Criminology', 2010). Some of the crime prevention techniques are usually aimed at decreasing the number of suitable victims and add the amount of control to ensure there is no loophole for the crime to be committed.
Comparing the two theories
The theories are important as they help reduce an increase in efforts of crime. They look at target hardening, anti-robbery screens, and locks and tamper proofing package. There is a need for a more controlled facility that looks that ways which people can easily enter when they are not supposed to. This involves body screening, baggage scanning, electronic access regulations, and the use of entry phones on doors CITATION Far10 \l 1033 (Farrell, Situational Crime Prevention and its Discontent: Rational Choice and Harm reduction versus 'Cultural Criminology', 2010). Electronic merchandising tags are also used in preventing shoplifting.
The two theories are also important in ensuring an increase in the crime risks. This is because according to the theories, the biggest fear of any offender is being caught. This is because once they are apprehended the consequences are always punitive. This ensures that they become more careful thus afraid to commit the offense. Such actions like carrying a cell phone with a hotline, neighborhood watch routine and going in groups at night can enable the increase in the risk of committing a crime CITATION Kei07 \l 1033 (Hayward, 2007). Other aspects include an increase in streetlights, defensible space designs and other aspects that reduce anonymity.
The other important aspect is to ensure a reduction of the reward as this will decrease the benefits of criminal offenders. According to Farrell (2010), criminal offenders are always seeking benefits from their acts like sexual for sex offenders, material for thieving, revenge, approval from their peers or excitement. At this, the situational crime prevention will ensure that targets are concealed to hide the potential gains, closing curtains at home or hiding jewelry to prevent people from getting a peek of the inside. Property identification is also another way as it ensures such items like cars and other valuables can be traced by to the owner.
Arguments advanced by Hayward and Farrell on the two theories
According to Hayward, (2007) Rational choice theory and situational crime prevention basically rely on the use of measures directed at very high and specific forms of crime that looks at the design, management, and manipulation of the environment to which these crimes are set to occur. All these efforts are done as a way of reducing or closing all the opportunities that the crime can occur. However, Hayward (2007) does not agree that this is all time effective. In his argument, Hayward affirms that the motivation behind offenders has continued to change over the years. Set against the motivation of property crimes that are the inspiration of the rational choice theories, is the development of crimes that contain much more expressive or emotional elements.
People who act under irrationality now control crime. As much as the theory can be useful in reducing crime, the situation crime prevention and rational choice approach may not be effective enough when it comes to preventing chaotic, expressive, or violent crimes that lead to community disharmony and public distress. For example, it is difficult for the theories to provide a way forward for gang-related crimes, child molestation, drunken assault, rape or hoax security agency service call outs. Hayward talks about the emotionality or the sensation gathers. These offenders have to particular form of rationality in their action. They include hooligans, narcissists, arsonists, binge drinkers, and joyriders. They contribute to the highest number of criminal offenders while they are having no sole purpose in their actions. Hayward (2007) adds that criminology is also motivated by what people read or watch. It is possible that some people commit a crime even without the knowledge that it is an offense.
Farrell (2010)on the other hand, argues that Hayward’s defense on the rational choice and situational crime prevention does not necessarily have grounds. The author argues that every form of crime is motivated behind it. For example when looking at the issue of joyriding as a reason for crime. Farrell argues that there is often a motivation toward it. For example, when an individual talks a car for joyriding, this is instrumental and can be seen as the main motivation for the crime. Farrell adds that Hayward fails to recognize a reduction in crime rates in countries like the United Kingdom where 61% of such crimes ...