The Rational Choice Theory as it Pertains to Victimization

Just as the need to understand the victim-crime connection exists, so too does the need to understand the criminal. Why do they commit the crime? What do they stand to gain or lose? Is it a rational decision that leads them to crime, or is it desperation? The rational choice theory seeks to explain the actions of those who commit crimes, yet it can also be applied to the theories of victimization.

In order to apply rational choice to the victimization, it is first imperative that rational choice be discussed. The theory states that crimes are committed after the individual has considered the risks and rewards of the act. Potential crimes are well thought out in terms of how to pull them off, what they'd gain from them, what alternatives are, and what the punishment would be should they be caught. The rational choice theory also classifies crime as "offender - specific" and "offense." The "offender - specific" crime is a crime in which the offender reacts "selectively to the characteristics of particular offenses" (Siegel, 2006). Essentially, an offender - specific crime is one that is thoroughly evaluated, illustrating that thought is put into a crime and is not merely a random event.

From a victimization standpoint, and using the routine activities theory, the rational choice theory explains why a particular house may be targeted for burglary, or why a particular person may be target for violence. For example, under the rational choice theory a person may choose to rob a house based on the need for money. As such, the offender will choose a person that has low guardianship, and a high availability of goods that are resalable. This helps to narrow down the individuals that will be targeted. According to Gary Kleck and Don Kates book Armed: New Perspectives on Guns, "Criminals tend to shy away from victims who perceived to be armed and potentially dangerous" (2001).

From a lifestyle theory standpoint, a person in a high risk area, out alone, or otherwise putting themselves at higher risk, is more likely to be targeted by an individual in the aforementioned situation. A person who chooses to lead a more risky life leaves themselves more vulnerable to crime, the offender is well aware of this vulnerability. As such, this individual is at an even higher risk for victimization.

Unfortunately, the weakness with the rational theory is its shakiness of application in all fields of crime. Can all crime truly be considered as a rationally thought out process? Can drug use, murder, assault, theft, and rape all be explained through the same manner? And can predictions on victimization for all these crimes also be made based on this theory? It is controversial whether it truly can or cannot. However, the case for it is made using the rational choice theory. Drugs are used based on initial rational choices, even if it is later driven by addiction. Theft is perpetrated based on the likelihood of success, and the risks are weighed against the need. Violence such as murder and assault can be applied by taking into account the aims of the violent offender. A violent offender may aim to accomplish control, retribution, deterrence, or reputation, (Siegel, 2006) all of which would be thought out before the crime. Even sex offenders rational plan their crimes and choose their victims. Consider the fact that sex offenders generally make efforts to avoid being seen, stay away from familiar areas to avoid recognition, and may even work in areas that expose them to people that would be ideal targets. Strong emotions, the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the influence of mental defects can be the exception to this theory, the loophole by which crimes slip through; but in general, most crimes can be classified as rational acts, as can the choosing of victims.

The rational choice theory takes a rational stance on both crime (its inception through the actual perpetration of the offense), and on the relationship between the crime and the victim. From this theory not only are crimes rational choices made by individuals that weigh the options, rewards, and risks; but victimization is also a rational choice made by the same process.

References:

Kleck, G., Kates, D. (2001). Armed: New Perspectives on Guns. Amherst, NY. Prometheus Books.

Seigel, L., J. (2006). Criminology, 10^th Edition. University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Thomson Wadsworth.