3.2 Neoclassical Criminology and Rational Choice Theory
3 min read•july 22, 2024
builds on Classical ideas while recognizing social and psychological factors in criminal behavior. It maintains that people make rational choices about crime, weighing costs and benefits, but acknowledges individual differences and circumstances that influence decision-making.
, a key component, sees crime as a deliberate choice based on perceived rewards and risks. While it offers practical insights for prevention and deterrence, critics argue it oversimplifies complex motivations and ignores broader societal influences on criminal behavior.
Neoclassical Criminology
Main tenets of Neoclassical Criminology
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- Developed in response to perceived limitations of Classical Criminology (Beccaria, Bentham)
- Retains core principles of Classical School emphasizing free will and individual responsibility for criminal actions
- Maintains belief that punishment deters crime by increasing perceived costs of offending
- Incorporates social and environmental factors (poverty, peer influence) that shape criminal behavior
- Recognizes psychological factors (personality traits, mental disorders) influencing individual decision-making
- Acknowledges individual differences in susceptibility to criminal temptations and deterrence
- Advocates for punishment proportional to severity of crime committed (retribution, just deserts)
- Supports individualized sentencing based on offender's unique circumstances and characteristics (age, criminal history)
Rational Choice Theory vs Classical School
- Rational Choice Theory extends Classical School's emphasis on free will and individual responsibility for crime
- Presumes offenders make rational decisions by weighing potential rewards (financial gain, thrills) against risks (arrest, imprisonment)
- Maintains crime is a deliberate choice and offenders are accountable for their actions
- Incorporates concept of recognizing decision-making is constrained by limited information, cognitive abilities, and time pressures
- Stresses importance of situational factors (target attractiveness, guardianship) in creating criminal opportunities and influencing offender decision-making
- Differs from Classical School by acknowledging individual and contextual factors beyond simple
Decision-making in criminal behavior
- Rational Choice Theory asserts offenders make decisions based on perceived costs and benefits of crime
- Perceived benefits may include financial gains (robbery, fraud), excitement (joyriding), or enhanced status (gang membership)
- Perceived costs may involve risk of arrest and legal sanctions, social stigma and damaged relationships, or feelings of guilt and shame
- Offenders rationally calculate expected utility of crime, comparing anticipated rewards to potential consequences
- Criminal decisions influenced by perceived likelihood of success (easy target, low security), severity and certainty of punishment (lenient laws, ineffective policing), and availability of legitimate alternatives (employment, education)
- Rational choice approach emphasizes offenders as active decision-makers, not passive victims of circumstance
Strengths and limitations of Rational Choice Theory
- Strengths:
- Offers clear and concise explanation for criminal behavior based on rational decision-making
- Emphasizes individual agency and responsibility, avoiding deterministic excuses for crime
- Highlights strategies aimed at increasing costs and reducing benefits of offending (target hardening, increased surveillance)
- Provides practical guidance for deterrence-based policies (certain, swift, and severe punishment)
- Limitations:
- Assumes criminal behavior always stems from rational deliberation, ignoring irrational influences of emotions (anger, jealousy), impulses (opportunistic theft), or substance abuse
- Neglects social and structural factors (inequality, discrimination) that shape offending beyond individual choice
- Struggles to explain crimes by individuals with mental illnesses or cognitive impairments that distort rational decision-making
- Less applicable to crimes of passion (domestic violence) or expressive crimes (vandalism) not motivated by instrumental concerns
- Overemphasizes rational calculation, as many offenders act with bounded rationality or imperfect information about risks and rewards
Key Terms to Review (16)
Bounded rationality: Bounded rationality refers to the concept that individuals make decisions within the limitations of their available information, cognitive capabilities, and time constraints. This idea challenges the notion of perfect rationality by acknowledging that people often simplify complex problems and rely on heuristics, leading to decisions that are not fully optimal but rather satisfactory given their constraints.
Calculating criminal behavior: Calculating criminal behavior refers to the thought process and decision-making involved in the commission of a crime, where individuals weigh potential benefits against possible risks or consequences. This concept is rooted in the idea that offenders are rational actors who make conscious choices, influenced by their perceptions of the environment and the likelihood of being caught. The notion emphasizes that understanding this decision-making can aid in developing strategies to deter crime and enhance crime prevention efforts.
Cesare Beccaria: Cesare Beccaria was an Italian philosopher and criminologist, known for his influential work 'On Crimes and Punishments' published in 1764. He is often regarded as a pioneer of the classical school of criminology, advocating for a rational and systematic approach to understanding crime and punishment, emphasizing deterrence, proportionality in sentencing, and the rights of individuals against arbitrary power.
Cost-benefit analysis: Cost-benefit analysis is a systematic approach to estimating the strengths and weaknesses of alternatives in order to determine the best course of action. This method evaluates the total expected costs against the total expected benefits to assess the feasibility and profitability of decisions, particularly in criminal justice contexts like deterrence, rational choice, and evidence-based practices.
Crime displacement: Crime displacement refers to the phenomenon where crime is shifted from one location, time, or type of crime to another as a result of crime prevention efforts. This can occur when offenders change their behavior in response to increased security measures or interventions, often leading to the reallocation of criminal activities rather than a reduction in overall crime rates. Understanding this concept is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of strategies aimed at reducing crime and improving community safety.
Deterrence Theory: Deterrence theory is a criminological perspective that suggests individuals are less likely to commit crimes if they believe the consequences will be severe and certain. It emphasizes the role of punishment in preventing criminal behavior by making potential offenders weigh the risks of getting caught against the benefits of committing the crime. This theory connects closely to concepts like rational decision-making and the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies.
General deterrence: General deterrence refers to the strategy of preventing crime by instilling fear of punishment in the general public. This concept relies on the idea that if people see others being punished for their wrongdoings, they will be less likely to engage in similar behaviors. By emphasizing the consequences of criminal acts, general deterrence aims to reduce the overall incidence of crime through a collective understanding of the risks involved.
Jeremy Bentham: Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and social reformer best known for founding the theory of utilitarianism, which suggests that the best actions are those that maximize happiness for the greatest number of people. His ideas significantly influenced criminology by promoting the notion that rationality and the pursuit of pleasure can explain criminal behavior and guide punishment.
Neoclassical Criminology: Neoclassical criminology is a theory that builds on classical criminology by emphasizing the role of rational choice in criminal behavior while also considering social and environmental factors. It argues that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of their actions before deciding to commit a crime, thus highlighting the importance of deterrence and punishment in influencing behavior. This approach suggests that crime can be reduced by increasing the perceived risks and consequences associated with criminal acts.
Offender rationality: Offender rationality refers to the decision-making process that individuals engage in when choosing to commit a crime, weighing the potential benefits against the risks and consequences involved. This concept is crucial in understanding how offenders evaluate situations before acting, suggesting that they are not impulsive but rather deliberate in their actions, influenced by their knowledge, experiences, and perceived opportunities. Understanding offender rationality connects to broader ideas about why people commit crimes and how society can respond to reduce criminal behavior.
Opportunistic Crime: Opportunistic crime refers to criminal acts that are committed when an individual sees a chance to take advantage of a situation, often without premeditation or planning. This type of crime is characterized by a lack of extensive motivation or desire, as the opportunity itself becomes the main driving force behind the act. In essence, individuals who engage in opportunistic crime tend to act on impulse when they perceive an unguarded moment or an easy target.
Rational Choice Theory: Rational Choice Theory posits that individuals make decisions based on a logical assessment of the costs and benefits associated with different options. This perspective emphasizes that people weigh the potential gains against possible losses before engaging in behavior, especially in the context of criminal activity. It connects closely to deterrence, suggesting that the certainty and severity of punishment can influence decision-making, and it underlines the importance of situational factors in crime prevention strategies.
Risk Assessment: Risk assessment is the process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential risks associated with a particular situation or decision. It involves analyzing the likelihood and consequences of adverse events to inform decision-making, particularly in contexts where security, safety, and ethical considerations are paramount.
Situational Crime Prevention: Situational crime prevention refers to strategies aimed at reducing the opportunities for crime by making specific targets less accessible and increasing the risks associated with committing a crime. It focuses on modifying the environment and improving security measures to deter criminal behavior, emphasizing practical interventions that can alter the circumstances that lead to criminal acts.
Specific deterrence: Specific deterrence is a criminal justice strategy aimed at preventing an individual offender from committing future crimes through the imposition of a punishment that is sufficiently severe. It focuses on the idea that the consequences of criminal behavior should deter the individual who has already been punished from reoffending. By emphasizing the individual’s experience and potential consequences, specific deterrence serves to modify future behavior and reduce recidivism.
Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is a philosophical theory that posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility. It emphasizes the outcomes of actions, suggesting that the moral worth of an action is determined by its contribution to overall well-being. This principle connects closely to ideas of rational decision-making, where individuals weigh potential benefits against potential harms before taking action.