Which elements are critical to the rational choice perspective of crime?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rational choice perspective of crime is primarily based on the idea that individuals will choose to commit a crime if the benefits of doing so outweigh the potential costs. Therefore, the elements critical to this perspective include the skills possessed by the offender (i.e. the ability to successfully commit the crime), as well as the rewards of the offence (i.e. what the offender stands to gain from committing the crime). Greed and the need for instant gratification may play a role in an individual's decision to commit a crime, but they are not necessarily critical components of the rational choice perspective. Degree of poverty and transient population in a region may be related to crime rates, but they do not address the individual decision-making process involved in committing a crime. Mental health of the offender and vulnerability of the victim may also be factors that contribute to a crime, but they are not essential components of the rational choice perspective.

Which Elements Are Critical to the Rational Choice Perspective of Crime