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, …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,
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, …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,