Northern Caribbean University

College Of Humanities,

Behavioural and Social Sciences

Department of Criminal Justice

Assignment #3

CJUS 115: Introduction to Criminal Justice

Instructor: Kevin Cespedes

By: Shara-kay Edwards

ID: 20212248

Section: A

Date: October 24, 2022

According to rational choice theory, people make decisions that are consistent with their personal

goals by applying logical analysis. These outcomes also relate to people acting in their own best

interests. The rational choice theory states that, criminals are not compelled to commit crimes by

an extraordinary reason, nor do they have distinct personalities from nonoffenders or grow up in

a culture where committing crimes is the norm (Cornish & Clarke, 1986; Kubrin et al.,

2009). The basis of rational choice theory is behavioral decisions, which includes the decision to

commit a crime with the knowledge or premeditation that the potential rewards outweigh the

risks.This essay will discuss examples of crimes that are obviously rational as well as crimes that

may not have been the consequence of rational choices. Temptation and opportunity are

significant concepts in rational choice theories' analyses of criminal behavior. Criminals are

driven people who choose to commit crimes depending on the expected effort and benefit of

doing so versus the likelihood of being detected and punished.

According to the rational choice theory, criminals will consider a variety of reasons before

committing crimes. Criminals' decisions are significantly influenced by punishment. For

instance,

An investment banker makes the decision to embezzle funds from his clients' accounts, conceals

the loss, and then takes the funds personally to support his or her extravagant lifestyle. The

white-collar criminal, premeditated and weighing the options of his/her choice, decides the

personal benefit of stealing money outweighs any chance of his/her theft being discovered.

Another illustration would be a burglary when two intruders agree to collaborate in order to

plot to break into a house at night while the family is away. The criminals deliberated before
planning and committing the burglary, evaluating the pros and cons, and deciding to break the

law despite the potential consequences of being caught. (Mark Bond,Ed.D, 2015)

Other instances include driving while intoxicated, sexual assault, and tax evasion. On the other

Hand, more expressive crimes include killings, like manslaughter.

Criminals that conduct irrational crimes do so without knowing what they are doing.

Violence committed in the heat of the moment is an example of an irrational emotional drive. An

An example of an irrational psychological drive is mania (e.g., kleptomania, pyromania).

In conclusion, the rational choice theory contends that those who engage in criminal activities do

so, after carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. people freely select

their conduct, both conforming and deviant, based on their rational calculations, which entail an

end/means calculation. Behavioral decisions are therefore the foundation of rational choice

theory. It does not consider any external elements that can impact their judgments, such

as the environment, culture, or social background. It also implies some type of equilibrium

between the individual and their surroundings. Criminals, do not consider the long-term

consequences of their actions; instead, they seek instant enjoyment. As a result, they are prepared

to take chances even if they know what they are doing is unlawful and may land them in jail. In

my opinion Most crimes are difficult to categorize as completely rational or irrational. Most

crimes are a mix of the two, making determining whether criminals are logical or irrational

impossible.

Reference
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/criminology-rational-choice-theory-explained-mark-bond.
(n.d.). essay.

https://criminal-justice.iresearchnet.com/criminology/theories/rational-choice-theory/. (n.d.).
story.