8.Explanations
8.1. Rational Choice Theory
Rational choice theory presumes that individuals make logical decisions from the choices available to them, which provides the greatest satisfaction and which are in their interest (Haycraft, 2013:13). Furthermore, rational choice theory assumes that an offender carries out a crime by evaluating what can be earned through committing the crime (Haycraft, 3013:13). Haycraft (2013:12) states that an individual might decide to commit a crime because the risk is lower than the gains or in order to resolve some type of personal vendetta.
According to Musuva (2015:51) rational choice theory can be used to link xenophobia to the rivalry between foreigners and natives for resources. Natives of a country perceive foreigners as competition for economic opportunities and resources (Musuva, 2015:52). Consequently, natives of a country may develop a lingering feeling of hatred and decide to engage in xenophobic violence in order to seek revenge. Therefore, rational choice theory can be used to explain xenophobia in term of the perception of corrupted competition, which results in the resentment of …show more content…
Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990:111) are of the opinion that criminal behaviour is the result of a lack of self-control. Therefore, criminals do not possess self-control when an opportunity to commit crime is presented. According to Haycraft (2013:17), the urge to commit crime decreases as an individual grows older due to the development of life factors. However, if a lack of self-control is present during adolescence, it is likely that a deficiency of self-control will be present in adulthood (Haycraft, 2013:17). Furthermore, individuals who display an acceptable level of self-control during childhood are likely to have an acceptable amount of self-control throughout adulthood (Haycraft,
8.1. Rational Choice Theory
Rational choice theory presumes that individuals make logical decisions from the choices available to them, which provides the greatest satisfaction and which are in their interest (Haycraft, 2013:13). Furthermore, rational choice theory assumes that an offender carries out a crime by evaluating what can be earned through committing the crime (Haycraft, 3013:13). Haycraft (2013:12) states that an individual might decide to commit a crime because the risk is lower than the gains or in order to resolve some type of personal vendetta.
According to Musuva (2015:51) rational choice theory can be used to link xenophobia to the rivalry between foreigners and natives for resources. Natives of a country perceive foreigners as competition for economic opportunities and resources (Musuva, 2015:52). Consequently, natives of a country may develop a lingering feeling of hatred and decide to engage in xenophobic violence in order to seek revenge. Therefore, rational choice theory can be used to explain xenophobia in term of the perception of corrupted competition, which results in the resentment of …show more content…
Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990:111) are of the opinion that criminal behaviour is the result of a lack of self-control. Therefore, criminals do not possess self-control when an opportunity to commit crime is presented. According to Haycraft (2013:17), the urge to commit crime decreases as an individual grows older due to the development of life factors. However, if a lack of self-control is present during adolescence, it is likely that a deficiency of self-control will be present in adulthood (Haycraft, 2013:17). Furthermore, individuals who display an acceptable level of self-control during childhood are likely to have an acceptable amount of self-control throughout adulthood (Haycraft,