PSYC 164 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Bounded Rationality, Habituation, Environmental Criminology
Document Summary
Criminals need cash need to know where to find their victims. Rational choice perspective: assumption that offenders choose crime bc of the benefits it brings them (pursuit of self interest) Conditions needed for specific crimes to occur. Crimes are purposive acts, benefitting the offender. Offenders try to make the best decisions they can, given the risks and uncertainty involved. Offender decision making varies considerably w/ nature of crime. Decisions about involved are diff from relating to commission of specific criminal act. Involvement decisions compromise three stages - initiation, habituation, and resistance. Even decisions involve sequence of choices made at each stage of criminal act. Crimes = bring benefit to the offender. Senseless acts of vandalism or gang violence prestige among peers. Serial killers hear voices to kill prostitutes avoids arrests. Offenders rarely in possession of necessary facts about risks, efforts and rewards when they make the decision. Criminal choices have to be made quickly and hastily.
