Rational choice theory was first proposed during the Enlightenment era by the Italian social philosopher Cesare Beccaria who posited that individuals were rational beings, endowed with free will, and who consciously decide to engage in certain behaviors and not in others (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). In his book On Crime and Punishment, Beccaria furthers his hypothesis by developing the hedonistic principle in which he proposes that individuals seek to maximize their pleasure and minimize their pain when rationally choosing to engage in certain behaviors (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). This type of cost-reward analysis of behavior led English social thinker Jeremy Bentham to expound upon Beccaria’s theories by developing the hedonistic calculus,
…show more content…
Situational choice theory, first developed by Derek B. Cornish and Ronald V. Clarke as a perspective that not only examined the individual’s conscious, rational thought processes that weigh the costs and benefits of their decision making but also takes into account environmental factors (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). Both rational choice and situational choice theories focus on the rational thought processes of the individual however, situational choice theory also assesses the structural features of a location in relation to committing both deviant and criminal acts and the likelihood of successful completion of such acts (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). Emergent from these two came the routine activities theory developed by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson which posits that three conditions must occur in order for a crime to ensue: a suitable target, a motivated offender, and the lack of a capable guardian (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). When examining intimate partner violence and the location in which violent behaviors occur, application of the routine activities theory clearly …show more content…
This decision on part of the victim clearly illustrates the rational and moral reasoning that considers parental and relational responsibility when choosing to remain or leave the abusive relationship (Meyer, 2012). Financial support is another factor cited by 41% of victims of intimate partner violence as a rational choice to remain in the abuse, especially when he/she is completely dependent on the abusive spouse for support knowing that if they chose to leave they would have to walk out with nothing (Meyer, 2012). Another factor that women consider is the lack of support services that would enable the victim to succeed in separating from their abusers thereby offering a capable guardian to deter future violent attacks (Pajak et al., 2014). Supportive services such as housing, counseling, psychiatric care, medical care, legal support, and financial assistance are critical for victims of intimate partner violence since the abuse can lead to symptoms of PTSD, mental illness, chronic healthcare issues, and legal issues (Pajak et al.,
Situational choice theory, first developed by Derek B. Cornish and Ronald V. Clarke as a perspective that not only examined the individual’s conscious, rational thought processes that weigh the costs and benefits of their decision making but also takes into account environmental factors (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). Both rational choice and situational choice theories focus on the rational thought processes of the individual however, situational choice theory also assesses the structural features of a location in relation to committing both deviant and criminal acts and the likelihood of successful completion of such acts (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). Emergent from these two came the routine activities theory developed by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson which posits that three conditions must occur in order for a crime to ensue: a suitable target, a motivated offender, and the lack of a capable guardian (Humphrey & Schmalleger, 2012). When examining intimate partner violence and the location in which violent behaviors occur, application of the routine activities theory clearly …show more content…
This decision on part of the victim clearly illustrates the rational and moral reasoning that considers parental and relational responsibility when choosing to remain or leave the abusive relationship (Meyer, 2012). Financial support is another factor cited by 41% of victims of intimate partner violence as a rational choice to remain in the abuse, especially when he/she is completely dependent on the abusive spouse for support knowing that if they chose to leave they would have to walk out with nothing (Meyer, 2012). Another factor that women consider is the lack of support services that would enable the victim to succeed in separating from their abusers thereby offering a capable guardian to deter future violent attacks (Pajak et al., 2014). Supportive services such as housing, counseling, psychiatric care, medical care, legal support, and financial assistance are critical for victims of intimate partner violence since the abuse can lead to symptoms of PTSD, mental illness, chronic healthcare issues, and legal issues (Pajak et al.,