Burglary Theories
Theories Explaining Burglary
Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory
By: Tracy Eberts, November 11, 2010
Abstract
Any family can fall victim to home invasion or burglary-not by criminals who rob us of our possessions, but by our routines that allow them into our lives in order to rob us of our souls. Rational choice theory focuses on how to deter burglary. By examining the Rational Choice theory and Routine Activity theory we can see why criminals offend after weighing the rewards against the punishments. The Petit family found this out the hard way when two burglars invaded their home because they were not happy with the bounty that they received from the last two homes they invaded. Unfortunately for them this invasion resulted in the death of a mother and her two daughters. Burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States and this tragedy could and can happen to anyone.
Introduction
How and why do people make decisions to commit burglaries? What runs through the heads of criminals that ultimately makes them choose to be deviant? By looking at Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory we can analyze the who, what, when, where and how of these crimes. After discovering this information we can determine ways to prevent or deter further victimization from burglars.
American families move to cul-de-sacs envisioning a safe and happy environment for their children. We assume that in this environment we are all safe from the traffic and harm at the end of the circle. This neighborhood is surrounded by houses that are occupied by other happy families, whose children join your children in play. Families move here to feel safe and secure and believe that in these neighborhoods everyone will look out for each other and that since the houses are so intertwined that no one would possible think about breaking into any homes in this area. While these neighborhoods may provide protection from vehicular traffic the sad reality is that even
Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory
By: Tracy Eberts, November 11, 2010
Abstract
Any family can fall victim to home invasion or burglary-not by criminals who rob us of our possessions, but by our routines that allow them into our lives in order to rob us of our souls. Rational choice theory focuses on how to deter burglary. By examining the Rational Choice theory and Routine Activity theory we can see why criminals offend after weighing the rewards against the punishments. The Petit family found this out the hard way when two burglars invaded their home because they were not happy with the bounty that they received from the last two homes they invaded. Unfortunately for them this invasion resulted in the death of a mother and her two daughters. Burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States and this tragedy could and can happen to anyone.
Introduction
How and why do people make decisions to commit burglaries? What runs through the heads of criminals that ultimately makes them choose to be deviant? By looking at Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory we can analyze the who, what, when, where and how of these crimes. After discovering this information we can determine ways to prevent or deter further victimization from burglars.
American families move to cul-de-sacs envisioning a safe and happy environment for their children. We assume that in this environment we are all safe from the traffic and harm at the end of the circle. This neighborhood is surrounded by houses that are occupied by other happy families, whose children join your children in play. Families move here to feel safe and secure and believe that in these neighborhoods everyone will look out for each other and that since the houses are so intertwined that no one would possible think about breaking into any homes in this area. While these neighborhoods may provide protection from vehicular traffic the sad reality is that even
References: Clarke, Ronald V. and Hope, Tim. (1984). In Clarke, Ronald V. and Tim Hope (Eds.). Coping With Burglary. (pp.1-13). Boston: Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing. Lilly, J. Robert, Cullen, Frances T, and Bell, Richard A. (2007). Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences (4th Ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. Siegel, L., J. (2006). Criminology, 10th Edition. University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Thompson.