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Essay on the routine activities theory
Routine activities theory example
Essay on the routine activities theory
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This theory is based on three elements of why the crime occurs: “a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of guardians” (Burkey, T., 2015). A motived offender is an offender that is committed and capable of committing the crime (Burkey, T., 2015) A suitable target “can be an object or person”, the offender may pick someone or something that is vulnerable and has some kind of award/ benefit towards the offender (Burkey, T., 2015). For example, a robber’s suitable target would be someone who has looks to be rich by what a person is wearing and that is probably coming out a bank because that would give the robber a hint that the person just took out money. Lack of capable of guardians is not having an adult who could stop the offender from committing the crime which can also go to suitable target because this can show vulnerability (Tewksbury, R.,
Within the past couple of decades, criminologists have developed different criminological theories that apply to the social behaviors and decisions of criminals. One of the earliest theories developed regarding criminality is the rational choice theory, in which describes the rationalization of determining if the rewards from committing the crime outweigh the consequences. In Scarver’s case, his decision to engage in criminal activities outweighed the potential consequences, or the other alternatives if he did not engage in such criminal activities. In addition to the rational choice theory, Scarver’s criminality can be related to the social disorganization theory, which describes the influence of one’s social and physical environment on one’s decision to commit a crime. Lastly, the strain theory can be related to Scarver’s criminality as well, as it is used to describe an individual who lacks the means to obtain such goals, and aspirations, so therefore, he or she engages in criminal activities to acquire the goals.
They found that these men desisted from crime when routine and structure was introduced to them. Routine and structure would be to focus on the offender’s family life and less time spending with peers who influence crime. Removing the individual from their criminal
It does not consider other factors such as criminal associations, individual traits, and inner strains, which plays a significant role in determining punishment for the individuals in committing crimes. It is observed that this theory endeavours to know that whether the activities of crime as well as the victim’s choice, criminals commit the activities on start from rational decisions. The theory also determines that criminals consider different elements before committing crime. They engage in the exchange of ideas before reaching on any final decision. These elements consist of consequences of their crimes, which include revealing their families to problems or death, chances of being arrested, and others elements, which comprises of placement of surveillance systems (Walsh & Hemmens, 2010; Lichbach,
Situational crime prevention (SCP) and rational choice theory (RCT), together, provide an insightful explanation as to why people commit crimes and what can be done to deter them. Much of the work done in RCT and SCP was founded by Derek Cornish and Ronald V. Clarke, who wanted to understand the decision-making process of potential offenders and focus on the spatial and situational factors that make such crime possible (Farrell and Hodgkinson, 2015). This paper aims to explore SCP and its relationship to RCT, as well as analyze the works of Keith Hayward and Graham Farrell in their discussion of these ideas. This paper has four objectives: first, the paper will discuss SCP and RCT and explain the link between the two concepts. Second, this paper will examine Hayward 's discussion of RCT, SCP, and cultural criminology.
There are many ways in which an officer or investigator can find the motives behind why a crime was committed; however, the use of victimology can be used as an essential tool. For instance, an officer or an investigator may use a crime scene analysis to gain an understanding of the distinctive details of a crime and the crime scenes related to that said crime (Turvey,2011). Within a crime scene analysis, victims are assessed by their risk levels, such as lifestyle and situational. The function of age, physical size, race, marital status, living situation, location of residence, and occupancy; would be considered a lifestyle risk (Burgess, Regehr, & Roberts, 2013). On the other hand, situational risk level can be described as the victims’
When discussing the different theories of criminality, there are two distinct schools of thought to highlight. The Classical School focuses on the premise that crime is the result of free will (Siegel & Worrall, 2016). This school of thought was foreran by Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. According to the Classical School of thought, people make their decisions based on the balance of pleasure seeking and pain avoidance; this is the concept of hedonism. If an individual believes the benefits of a crime outweigh the possible consequences, then they will commit the crime.
Routine activities theory and situational crime prevention are similar in context. Routine activities theory sets to explain crime by factors that influence a range of choices in crime available to individuals. These choices include three elements: motivated offenders, lack of cable guardians, and a suitable target. Routine activities also argues that certain lifestyles increase exposure to risk of victimization. Similarly there is situational crime prevention.
The Disengagement Theory was proposed by Elaine Cumming and William E. Henry in 1961. The Activity Theory was proposed by Robert J. Havighurst and John W. Albrecht in 1963. The Continuity Theory was proposed by Robert J. Havighurst, Bernice L. Neugarten, and Sheldon S. Tobin in 1968. One assumption made by the Disengagement Theory is that elders try to avoid the stress that comes with weakening capabilities (Hillier & Barrow, 2015). To accomplish this, some individuals isolate themselves from social contact with activities such as reading, listening to music, or gardening” (Hillier & Barrow, 2015, p. 82).
Analyses have identified several aspects of a person’s way of life that contribute to chances for, and chances of, victimization. These influencing factors include lifestyle decisions, substance abuse, social activities and economic status. Lawbreaking can be indiscriminate, but there are factors that increase a person's chances of being a victim. One factor is lifestyle choices. Meaning the way people choose to act and live as they carry out routine activities.
Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson developed Routine Activity Theory. Routine Activity Theory is where children commit delinquent or criminal acts when there are no capable guardians, when they find suitable targets and limited activities for them to take part in. Children ultimately weigh in the risks and decide whether or not they commit a crime. A person can be influenced by the interaction of these three variables: finding targets, not having guardians around and the presence of people willing to commit a crime (Welsh and Siegel,64).
This misconception and understanding of the routine activities approach has changed and it is now believed to be able to be applied in understanding offenders and criminal context, instead of merely a means to explain or predict the risk of criminal victimisation (Felson, 1997: 209). Cohen and Felson (1979: 593) describe routine activities as “any recurrent and prevalent activities which provide for basic population and individual needs, whatever their biological or cultural origins”. Therefore, routine activities is
Working Thesis Statement: Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are major factors for non-communicable disease all over the wold, which makes physical activity and exercise a new effective therapy. Article 1: Lee, I. M., Shiroma E. J., Lobelo F., Puska, P., Blair, S. N., & Katzmaryzk P. T. (2012). Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. Lancet 2012; 380: 219–29.
The lifestyle theory of victimization seems the most accurate in my opinion. As stated in the name, lifestyle is the core of this theory. The routines of everyday activities predict the chances of exposure to high risk situations that can lead to victimization. An example of this concept is the form of transportation people use. If a person were to use a subway to transport to work and back home, they are more prone to victimization than someone who uses bus transportation.
Figure 2.1: A graphical model of the Routine Activity Theory Source: Felson and Cohen (1979 cited Ukwayi (2013). Applying this theory to this study from Cohen and Felson theoretical framework reveals that the kidnappers constitute an offender; the suitable targets are the people that are attractive to the potential kidnappers. Today everybody is the target of the kidnappers. The absence or weak of capable guardian such as the police or other law enforcement agencies to prevent the crime from occurring. The Nigeria Police Force seems hapless in dealing with the situation of kidnapping, as the force is not adequately equipped to combat the men¬ace (Olajide,
