In this paper, I will be discussing two different theories to explain the crime of robbery. The two theories I will be focusing on will be the rational choice theory and the routine activity theory. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.) Uniform Crime Reporting Program (U.C.R.) estimates that there were approximately 354,396 robberies in the US accounting for $409 million in losses of individuals (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011). The F.B.I.’s U.C.R. defines robbery as:
The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011: N.P).
The F.B.I.’s Uniform Crime Report (2011) also points out that about 42% of robberies were done using strong-arm tactics, while the other 58% of the robberies involved a weapon, such as a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon. Robbery is considered one of the five violent crimes that criminals do. Robbery puts the victim and possible bystanders in jeopardy of being injured, or killed. Because of how severe robbery can be, the punishment for the crime is not based on the value of items taken, but rather by the force used to take them and whether it caused injury or death (Siegel, 2015). One of the things Siegel points out is that while most crime rates decrease during the winter, robbery actually increases. The cause for this, as Siegel mentions (2015), is because in the winter, criminals can wear clothing that is in the norm at that time that allows them to hide weapons more easily, hide stolen goods, or even wear masks or hoods to cover their identity. Another factor is that people typically carry more cash with them during the Christmas season for gifts and such. The days are also usually shorter, allowing the criminals to take advantage of the dark to conceal themselves. Rational choice theory helps explain what occurs inside an individual’s mind before the robbery takes place and will help people understand the mental process that an individual goes through before committing the crime. …show more content…
What this theory expresses, is that “an individual will commit crime if the utility of rewards from crime (weighted by the probability of obtaining the reward) outweighs the utility of costs (weighted by the probability of being caught)” (Matsueda, Kreager, & Huizinga, 2013: 100). When considering the cost of being caught, some of the things the individual will consider is their own experiences with police or other crimes they have committed, and if they have been arrested or have avoided being arrested in the past. They will look at other friend’s experiences of breaking the law and consequences and punishments they may have received. And last, but not least, the individual might consider his or her location and social structure to determine if the crime he or she wants to commit is even possible without getting caught (Matsueda, Kreager, & Huizinga, 2013). The routine activities theory as explained by Groff (2007) in her “Simulation for Theory Testing and Experimentation” article, consists of three key elements. The first is a motivated offender, the second is a location with a decrease of capable guardians or witnesses, and the third is a suitable target. Those individuals who go through rational choice weighing the pros and
The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011: N.P).
The F.B.I.’s Uniform Crime Report (2011) also points out that about 42% of robberies were done using strong-arm tactics, while the other 58% of the robberies involved a weapon, such as a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon. Robbery is considered one of the five violent crimes that criminals do. Robbery puts the victim and possible bystanders in jeopardy of being injured, or killed. Because of how severe robbery can be, the punishment for the crime is not based on the value of items taken, but rather by the force used to take them and whether it caused injury or death (Siegel, 2015). One of the things Siegel points out is that while most crime rates decrease during the winter, robbery actually increases. The cause for this, as Siegel mentions (2015), is because in the winter, criminals can wear clothing that is in the norm at that time that allows them to hide weapons more easily, hide stolen goods, or even wear masks or hoods to cover their identity. Another factor is that people typically carry more cash with them during the Christmas season for gifts and such. The days are also usually shorter, allowing the criminals to take advantage of the dark to conceal themselves. Rational choice theory helps explain what occurs inside an individual’s mind before the robbery takes place and will help people understand the mental process that an individual goes through before committing the crime. …show more content…
What this theory expresses, is that “an individual will commit crime if the utility of rewards from crime (weighted by the probability of obtaining the reward) outweighs the utility of costs (weighted by the probability of being caught)” (Matsueda, Kreager, & Huizinga, 2013: 100). When considering the cost of being caught, some of the things the individual will consider is their own experiences with police or other crimes they have committed, and if they have been arrested or have avoided being arrested in the past. They will look at other friend’s experiences of breaking the law and consequences and punishments they may have received. And last, but not least, the individual might consider his or her location and social structure to determine if the crime he or she wants to commit is even possible without getting caught (Matsueda, Kreager, & Huizinga, 2013). The routine activities theory as explained by Groff (2007) in her “Simulation for Theory Testing and Experimentation” article, consists of three key elements. The first is a motivated offender, the second is a location with a decrease of capable guardians or witnesses, and the third is a suitable target. Those individuals who go through rational choice weighing the pros and