Deterrence Theory Is The Rational Choice Theory - 992 Words

Deterrence theory is the basis and the ultimate desired outcome to deter crime in the United States (Feldmeyer, 2015). That has not always been true. There has been a period in U.S. history, 1960’s and 1970’s that Rehabilitation Theory was considered the method of choice (Feldmeyer, 2015). Rehabilitation Theory, including treatment, was to treat the â€Å"illness† rather than place heavier sanctions such as incapacitation. Even though Rehabilitation is not the predominate approach used today, it is still a viable choice to curb criminals appetite to offend others. The close contender to Deterrence Theory is the Rational Choice Theory. Rational Choice Theory uses the premise of â€Å"free will† (Brown, 2013). That the offender has a choice of whether to commit a crime or not because the offender is not confined to just one choice. That his choice would bring more pleasure (Brown, 2013). We can classify deterrence in two categories: either formal, such as pr ison and jail sentences, or informal such as effects on offender’s job. Research has shown that informal sanctions have a greater determent than formal sanctions (Feldmeyer, 2015). The main arguments of deterrence and rational choice theories are: deterrence was a theory using punishment to control offenders committing crime. Punishment has been used as a means as a deterrent since the medieval days. Later, with the advent of the enlightenment era, it was pointed out that offenders have â€Å"free will†, as in the Rational ChoiceShow MoreRelatedDeterrence And Rational Choice Theory777 Words   |  4 Pagesfeel as if the deterrence theory does not work. Due to the fact that crime still happens in the world. This essay will look at the support for the theory. As well as the key problems for the theory. Next, it will explain some of the newest directions in deterrence/rational choice theory. Finally, it will either agree/disagree with someone’s thought on deterre nce and how it does not work and is a waste of time to study. Deterrence and rational choice are two different things. Deterrence is used to punishRead MoreDeterrence And Rational Choice Theory748 Words   |  3 Pages In the following paragraphs, deterrence and rational choice theory, two important ideas, will be discussed. Deterrence theory argues that people are more likely to be dissuaded from committing crimes due to fear of being caught, rather than using a moral sense of what is right and what is the wrong thing to do. The three elements of the deterrent effect of punish relies on the severity, certainty, and celerity of the punishment (Lab, 2016). General deterrence is designed to impact more thanRead MoreDeterrence And Rational Choice Theory3785 Words   |  16 PagesIntroduction Deterrence and Rational Choice Theory and the three strikes laws are seen by some researcher as the way to maintain control, deter crime and deliver harsh punishment for repeat offenders by subjecting them to the three strikes law. They believe that if the punishment is harsh that offenders will be deterred to commit crime. We will take a look at these theories, and see if they are really the answer to our crime problems in the USA. It will also allow us to ask the question which is:Read MoreDeterrence and Rational Choice Theory of Crime3085 Words   |  13 PagesThe issue of whether decision making by criminals is a rational process is a heated topic of discussion when one asserts that crime is the role of choice. Before the classical school of criminology, crime was thought to be the product of the paranormal occurrence of demons, witches, ghouls, and other creatures. The time prior to the classical school of criminology, called the preclassical era, is divided in two parts. Befo re the time of state intervention into private matters, each individual dealtRead MoreHow Rational Choice And Deterrence Theory Around The World1547 Words   |  7 Pages Everybody has a choice, but it’s up to the individual to the make a decisions on what they choice to do in a positive way, in every event that takes place in their life on an everyday basis. In today’s society dealing with Rational Choice a question always comes into play on why people engage in criminal behavior, but who really knows and most people wonder is it who they surrender their selves around in their social life or could it have been where they grow up and what they sense as a child withRead MoreContemporary Utilization Of Classical Perspective1575 Words   |  7 Pagesexplain the contemporary utilization of the classical perspective of criminology. Deterrence theory, rational choice theory, routine activities theory, and lifestyle theory will be explained and defined thoroughly detailing each theory and provide a historical background, theorist(s) involved, prior literature, scientific methods, results, personal opinions, and policy implications for each th eory. These theories are still being utilized in law enforcement in present day enforcement of laws andRead MoreAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Court Imposed Bans1563 Words   |  7 Pagespolice imposed bans, court imposed bans, and venue imposed bans. These three bans differ in a number of ways, and have different strengths and weaknesses regarding how well they work. They also relate to different social theories including, deterrence theory, and rational choice theory; all of which will be explored throughout this presentation. Court Court imposed bans can be issued for a number of reasons, most commonly to violent patrons who are likely to endanger the safety of others. Court imposedRead MoreThe Sentencing Policy And The Criminal Justice System1065 Words   |  5 PagesThere are many current criminal justice policies and laws that demonstrate how the policy has been informed by the theories that have been covered this semester. Many connections are not explicit but offer great detail in offering information based on the given topics. The current criminal justice policy that I’ve chosen was the sentencing policy. The sentencing policy was put together to reach every type of case that could possibly be seen in the criminal justice system. Here we will further discussRead MoreTheories Of Law And Justice761 Words   |  4 PagesEssay #1 Theories of law and justice answers the questions on how/ why in society a person behavior could be seen or handle as a criminal (Akers Sellers, 2009). Also the theory helps explain why a certain behavior is consider illegal and what punishment needs to be taken for that behavior/conduct. To answer these questions, the theory looks at the variables which are social, economic, and economic which has it affects on law and justice (Akers Sellers, 2009). For theories of crime and criminalRead MoreRational Decision Making And Its Effect On Crime Causation Essay1497 Words   |  6 Pages Rational Decision Making and its Effect on Crime Causation Most, if not all Americans, are familiar with the story of Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne. As a small child Bruce s parents were brutally gunned down in front of him prompting him to don the cape and mask to rid Gotham city of injustice. In the 2005 movie adaptation starring Christian Bale, Batman is asked why he so selflessly protects the city. He replies, â€Å"It s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.† I believe