Routine Activities and Rational Choice Theories

Routine Activities Theory Direct contact predatory violations Illegal activities feed off of legal activities

Three Necessary Conditions for Direct Contact Predatory Crime Suitable target Lack of capable guardianship Motivated offender - assumed

Criminal Motivation Assumed Motivation is ever-present Variation in suitable targets and capable guardianship explains crime patterns

Explaining Crime Patterns Increase in household burglary Robbery victimization peaks at night

Target Suitability Amount stolen per $100 spent Motor vehicles and parts$26.44 Electronic appliances$6.82 Large, durable goods$0.08 Furniture$0.12 Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979

Household Guardianship Burglary/Robbery Rates (per 1,000) Age Number in Household Ratio OneTwo All Ages Source: Cohen and Felson, 1979 Also, proportion of households unattended has increased over time

Rational Choice Theory Routine activities takes macro-level view Rational choice takes a situational view Complimentary perspectives

Rational Choice Theory Bounded rationality decision making Offenders are opportunists

Implications for Crime Prevention If offenders decisions are situationally bounded, then how should we go about reducing offending?