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Pineda, Kobe M.
Casim, Jeric
Macasio, Arwin
Cesare becaria and Jeremy bentham were the originators of classical school and rational choice and the
classical school believe that people commit crime due to their nature and freewill rationa choice theory
their focus was mainly on individuals personal choice which was often said to be based on rationality
Concept:
Rational choice theory holds that person will engage in criminal behavior after weighing the
consequences and benefits of his/her actions. Criminal behavior is a rational choice made by a
motivated offender who perceives that the chances of gain outweigh any possible punishment or loss
(Siegel et al.,2007).
Example :
White-collar crime. An investment banker decides to skim money from his clients’ accounts and hides
the loss, and then personally takes the money to fund his/her lavish lifestyle.
A burglary with two offenders deciding to work together to plan to break into a home at night when the
family is on vacation. The burglars made a decision by planning and carrying out the burglary by
weighing the means and benefits and making a decision to violate the law despite the punishment if
caught.
The pair wanted to understand thw mind behind a criminal like a burglar, specifically the questions they
may ask themselves before commiting a crime
offenders weigh information on their personal need and situational factors involved in the difficulty and
risk of committing a crime.)
delinquency if they perceive that the benefits outweigh the risks. Crime is a function of the severity,
certainty, and speed of punishment.)
Rational choice theory was first introduced by economists and later adopted by criminology studies in
the late 1970s. Rational choice theory in criminology grew out of the same utilitarian philosophy as
deterrence associated with the classical school of criminology developed by Cesare Beccaria. Working
from the classical school of criminology and the theoretical framework of utilitarianism Jeremy Bentham
discuss the concept of calculus of pleasure or hedonistic calculus. Hedonistic calculus states that people
will weigh the possible pleasures from committing the crime against the possible pain from punishment,
and act accordingly
characteristics of an individual
criminal act.
INCAPACITATION:
crime rates.
• There is little evidence that incapacitating criminals deters them from future criminality
• Economy
• Gun laws
Contributing Factors:
Background Factors
Intelligence of an individual
Social aspects
Family background
Demographic Characteristics
Situational Factors
Peer pressure
Consumption
of Drugs or alcohol
Criminal's Needs:
Deterrence:
Overall:
Rational theory has many factors and aspects to consider when in the mind of an individual Criminal. But
as it can apply to and explain any case it is presented with.