Classical Criminology and Rational Choice Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals make rational decisions based on weighing potential benefits against potential costs.

The pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain as the primary motivators of human behavior.

The balance between pleasure and pain, often used to explain individual choices.

The ability to use logic, reasoning, and evidence to make choices that maximize utility.

The concept that individuals have free will and are not predetermined by genetics or social environment.

The idea that crimes occur when an individual perceives the potential benefits of committing the crime to outweigh the potential costs.

Key dimensions of punishment that aim to deter crime by making it more costly than beneficial.

An approach to criminology that emphasizes the individual's rational decision-making process when considering criminal acts.

The concept that people are equally free to make choices, but this freedom is influenced by the quality of choices available, which varies based on social position.

The diminishing value or pleasure gained from each additional unit of consumption as the total number of units possessed increases.

Research that focuses on the relationship between the objective level of punishment (certainty, severity, speed) and crime rates across populations or regions.

Research that investigates individual perceptions of the certainty and severity of punishment and its influence on criminal behavior.

The effect of experiencing punishment on future criminal behavior. Often found to be ineffective or even criminogenic (increasing crime rates).

The effect of the perceived threat of punishment on criminal behavior. Research consistently shows this as an effective deterrent.

A statistical technique used to isolate the causal effects of variables, often employed to study the impacts of criminal justice interventions.

The general deterrent effect refers to the influence of punishment on the crime rates of the broader public, while specific deterrence aims to prevent recidivism (repeated offending).

Humans tend to make decisions based on an initial piece of information, called an anchor, and adjust their judgment from there, even if the anchor is completely irrelevant. This can result in biased or inaccurate decisions.

A type of lottery where the probabilities of winning or losing are unknown, causing uncertainty and hesitation in decision-making. People tend to avoid such scenarios as they prefer clear and defined risks.

The contrast between the actual, observable consequence of an action (objective punishment) and what individuals perceive as the likely punishment (subjective punishment). Studies show that the gap between these two can be significant.

The idea that punishment can only be effective if the individual remembers the punishment and its connection to the action. If the memory is weak or absent, the punishment loses its deterrent power.

A perspective that prioritizes the potential consequences of actions on a larger population. It aims to maximize societal happiness and well-being by minimizing harm and maximizing benefits for the greatest number of people.

Crime prevention strategies often focus solely on the costs of criminal activity, neglecting the complex factors that contribute to crime, such as individual differences, economic factors, and social influences.

The ability to make decisions based on rational thought and understanding of probabilities. Often contrasted with intuitive or emotional decision making.

The idea that the perceived probability of getting caught is a stronger deterrent than the severity of the punishment.

The tendency for the initial deterrent effect of a policy to fade over time.

The effect of visible signs of enforcement, even without actual enforcement action.

The subjective perception of the risk of being caught and punished.

The idea that the threat of punishment can be more effective in deterring crime than actual punishment.

Social consequences like disapproval from family or friends.

Official consequences like fines, jail time, or community service.

The extent to which people understand and believe in the severity of a law or policy.