Criminal Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study

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This chapter introduces the modern applications of the Classical Perspective: Deterrence, Rational Choice, and Routine Activities or Lifestyle theories of crime (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 52). Near the end of the 19th century, Darwin’s ideas of evolution and natural took over the oldest frameworks of Classical and Neoclassical School. By the 1960s, theorist began using deterrence measures to explain why individuals engaged in criminal behavior (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 52). As these measures were used they began to open an understand as to support the theories of certainty and severity of punishment to deter crime committing such as increased risk or certainty of punishment associated with less crime for most serious offenses and most offenders arrested once never get arrested again (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 52). However, as a result researchers found that using these measures on …show more content…

The cross-sectional studies closely looked at individual perceptions of certainty and severity of punishment to prevail perception was strong but the severity of crime was weak (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 53). These studies prompted analysis for another measure of individual perceptions of certainty and severity of punishment over time alongside behavior. Researchers used an experiential effect, which showed capture and punishment had a high influence on individual perception. The cross-sectional studies modeled the effect of punishment is not as great as the crime; as individuals feel they have nothing to lose (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 53-54). It eventually controls the individuals’ perception of whether or not to commit crime given prior experience. As the cross-sectional studies indicated factor of criminal behavior, researchers sought out for further explanations. In furthering their explanations, the scenario research developed to study the effectiveness of perceptions concerning deterrence (Tibbetts, 2012, p.