Assumptions of Rational Choice Theory on Crime and Deterrence
Understanding criminology is centered on a number of factors among them the supporting theories and their application on crime and deterrence. In the modern day, there exist several crimes which have major impacts, and with the inception of technology and innovation, crime analysts and lawmakers are tasked with identifying not only the cause of the crime but also the punishment to an individual for their actions. Criminology theorists center their discussion on a number of factors such as one’s motivation in engaging in the crime and the sociological influence in one’s actions. It is therefore important to evaluate how criminology theories relate to one’s actions through considering …show more content…
Thus evaluating how the theories contribute to the understanding of crime policies. Liska & Messner (1999) argue that deviance sociology constitutes norm violation and definition of social aspect. Further, the three levels explaining deviance includes psychological, biological and sociological. The six theories evaluated include ecological, functional/structural, rational choice, constructionist, labeling and conflict perspectives, Liska & Messner (1999). While some theories base criminology on sociological influence such as the positivist perspective, others base their argument on individual criminal initiative and free will aspects such as the rational choice which is also described as deterrence, Liska & Messner (1999. As noted above, one of the major theories discussed by Liska & Messner (1999) is the rational theory perspective also referred as deterrence. Rational Choice Theory (RCT) as implied by the title is based on the argument that one’s actions emanate from free will. The offender commits the crimes voluntarily or willingly ,and possibly applying logicto evaluate the costs and benefits associated with their activities. Liska & Messner (1999) posit that the individual first understands the situation through their logic where he or she evaluates the pleasures and pain. To profoundly understand the deterrence perspective, it …show more content…
Further, he was not forced to perform the act and did out of free will as he would have desisted from engaging in the sexual activities, Liska & Messner (1999). Hence, distinguishing classicism and positivism approach to criminology regardless of the sociological reasons for one to commit a crime as suggests in positivism, the foundation argument of free will remain constant and relevant (O’Neill, 2004). The second assumption is on deterrence which Liska & Messner (1999) bases it on the punishment aspect in criminology. RCT holds that to deter crime effectively, the punishment should be swift and certain. Still considering the above example of Brock Turner case, the public outrage was a result of leniency expressed in the verdict (Stack, 2016). According to the wider community, the probation of three years for the sexual assault felony counts was light considering the impact of the crime. Swiftness and uncertainty in this punishment can be argued from the society’s perception. Regardless of whether Brock was an athlete with no criminal record, the message send to society is that based on the social class of the offender, full protection for women on institutions of higher learning does not exist. Stack (2016) argues that as a result of less certainty and swiftness of the punishment, rape cases continue to flourish. According to Liska & Messner (1999), if the costs or pain resulting from
Understanding criminology is centered on a number of factors among them the supporting theories and their application on crime and deterrence. In the modern day, there exist several crimes which have major impacts, and with the inception of technology and innovation, crime analysts and lawmakers are tasked with identifying not only the cause of the crime but also the punishment to an individual for their actions. Criminology theorists center their discussion on a number of factors such as one’s motivation in engaging in the crime and the sociological influence in one’s actions. It is therefore important to evaluate how criminology theories relate to one’s actions through considering …show more content…
Thus evaluating how the theories contribute to the understanding of crime policies. Liska & Messner (1999) argue that deviance sociology constitutes norm violation and definition of social aspect. Further, the three levels explaining deviance includes psychological, biological and sociological. The six theories evaluated include ecological, functional/structural, rational choice, constructionist, labeling and conflict perspectives, Liska & Messner (1999). While some theories base criminology on sociological influence such as the positivist perspective, others base their argument on individual criminal initiative and free will aspects such as the rational choice which is also described as deterrence, Liska & Messner (1999. As noted above, one of the major theories discussed by Liska & Messner (1999) is the rational theory perspective also referred as deterrence. Rational Choice Theory (RCT) as implied by the title is based on the argument that one’s actions emanate from free will. The offender commits the crimes voluntarily or willingly ,and possibly applying logicto evaluate the costs and benefits associated with their activities. Liska & Messner (1999) posit that the individual first understands the situation through their logic where he or she evaluates the pleasures and pain. To profoundly understand the deterrence perspective, it …show more content…
Further, he was not forced to perform the act and did out of free will as he would have desisted from engaging in the sexual activities, Liska & Messner (1999). Hence, distinguishing classicism and positivism approach to criminology regardless of the sociological reasons for one to commit a crime as suggests in positivism, the foundation argument of free will remain constant and relevant (O’Neill, 2004). The second assumption is on deterrence which Liska & Messner (1999) bases it on the punishment aspect in criminology. RCT holds that to deter crime effectively, the punishment should be swift and certain. Still considering the above example of Brock Turner case, the public outrage was a result of leniency expressed in the verdict (Stack, 2016). According to the wider community, the probation of three years for the sexual assault felony counts was light considering the impact of the crime. Swiftness and uncertainty in this punishment can be argued from the society’s perception. Regardless of whether Brock was an athlete with no criminal record, the message send to society is that based on the social class of the offender, full protection for women on institutions of higher learning does not exist. Stack (2016) argues that as a result of less certainty and swiftness of the punishment, rape cases continue to flourish. According to Liska & Messner (1999), if the costs or pain resulting from