Name: Raymart Oblefias Mercado Date: __________________

Course/Section: BS Criminology BLK 2 Score: _________________

PERFORMANCE TASK 1
Rational choice theory, a framework that assumes individuals make decisions to
maximize their self-interest, offers a lens through which to understand corruption in
Indonesia. This theory posits that individuals engage in corrupt activities when the
perceived benefits outweigh the perceived costs.
In the context of Indonesia, this article likely examines how factors like weak
institutions, low salaries for public officials, and a culture of patronage influence the cost-
benefit analysis of engaging in corrupt practices. The article might delve into specific
methods of corruption prevalent in Indonesia, such as bribery, extortion, and embezzlement,
analysing the rational choices made by both the corrupt officials and those who engage in
such activities.
It could also explore the role of social norms and cultural factors in shaping
individual perceptions of corruption, highlighting how these factors influence the perceived
costs and benefits of engaging in corrupt behaviour. By applying rational choice theory, the
article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay of individual
motivations, institutional structures, and cultural norms that contribute to the prevalence of
corruption in Indonesia.
This theory posits that individuals, acting as rational agents, strive to maximize their self-
interest, even if it means engaging in criminal acts. The core principles of rational choice theory
include the assumption that individuals are capable of making deliberate choices based on their
understanding of potential outcomes, meticulously weighing the potential rewards of committing
a crime, such as financial gain or social status, against the potential costs, such as the risk of
arrest, punishment, or social stigma.
Ultimately, individuals choose the option that they believe will yield the greatest net
benefit, even if it means engaging in criminal behaviour. Rational choice theory suggests that
individuals are more likely to commit crimes when the perceived benefits outweigh the
perceived costs, opportunities for crime are abundant, and individuals lack alternative means of
achieving their goals.
For instance, a teenager might join a gang, weighing the costs of gang membership, such
as the risk of violence or imprisonment, against the benefits, such as a sense of belonging,
protection, and financial gain. Similarly, a cashier might rationalize stealing money from the
register, believing that the immediate financial benefit outweighs the risk of getting caught and
losing their job. While rational choice theory offers valuable insights into criminal behaviour, it
also has several limitations. Not all individuals are rational actors, and some may lack the
cognitive capacity to make rational decisions, or their decision-making may be influenced by
factors such as mental illness, addiction, or emotional distress.
Additionally, external factors such as social, economic, and environmental influences can
significantly impact an individual's decision to commit a crime, which rational choice theory
often overlooks. Moreover, the theory can be difficult to apply in practice, as accurately
assessing the costs and benefits that individuals perceive when making decisions about crime is
challenging. Despite these limitations, rational choice theory has significant implications for
crime prevention strategies.
Understanding the factors that influence an individual's decision to commit a crime
allows policymakers to develop strategies that increase the perceived costs of crime through
stricter law enforcement, harsher punishments, and increased surveillance, reduce the perceived
benefits of crime through target hardening and community-based programs that provide
alternative opportunities, and address the root causes of crime by tackling issues such as poverty,
inequality, and lack of access to education and employment opportunities.
In conclusion, rational choice theory provides a valuable framework for understanding
how individuals make decisions about crime, but it is crucial to acknowledge its limitations and
consider the complex interplay of factors that contribute to criminal behaviour. By understanding
the principles of rational choice theory and its limitations, policymakers can develop more
effective crime prevention strategies that address both the opportunities for crime and the
underlying social and economic factors that contribute to it.
Furthermore, rational choice theory provides a useful framework for understanding how
individuals make decisions about crime. However, it is important to recognize the limitations of
the theory and to consider the complex interplay of factors that contribute to criminal behaviour.
By understanding the principles of rational choice theory and its limitations, policymakers can
develop more effective crime prevention strategies that address both the opportunities for crime
and the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to it.