Module 9
Criminality of Place: Deterrence,
Routine Activity, and Rational
Choice Theories
importance of environment
,Module 9 Learning Objectives
Explain the differences between deterrence, routine activity, and rational
choice theories and traditional criminological theories.
Understand the role of law as a deterrent to crime and recognize the
limits of deterrence.
Discuss how offenders make choices whether or not to commit offences
and understand the assumptions of rational choice theory.
Explain what is meant by “hot spots” of crime.
Discuss how patterns of behaviour can contribute to victimization.
Understand the routine activities theory of crime, including the role of
the motivated offenders, suitable target, and ineffective guardianship.
Explain how situational theories and theories of victimization help to
inform techniques, practices, and programs to help prevent crime.
Understand the need for comprehensive crime prevention initiatives,
including crime prevention through social development.
, Deterrence Theory
• Beccaria’s Classical Theory Peoplepursue
things that makeHim happy say
• People will break the law if they think it will benefit them
• Criminal justice system should deter people from committing crime
• Our legal system is based on deterrence
forsuregoing
• Certainty
to be caught
of punishment is more important than severity
• However, severity is ‘easier’ to accomplish
worth it
releee crime you hare to make Crome not
If you want to
crime
They deter from
0
Criminality of Place: Deterrence,
Routine Activity, and Rational
Choice Theories
importance of environment
,Module 9 Learning Objectives
Explain the differences between deterrence, routine activity, and rational
choice theories and traditional criminological theories.
Understand the role of law as a deterrent to crime and recognize the
limits of deterrence.
Discuss how offenders make choices whether or not to commit offences
and understand the assumptions of rational choice theory.
Explain what is meant by “hot spots” of crime.
Discuss how patterns of behaviour can contribute to victimization.
Understand the routine activities theory of crime, including the role of
the motivated offenders, suitable target, and ineffective guardianship.
Explain how situational theories and theories of victimization help to
inform techniques, practices, and programs to help prevent crime.
Understand the need for comprehensive crime prevention initiatives,
including crime prevention through social development.
, Deterrence Theory
• Beccaria’s Classical Theory Peoplepursue
things that makeHim happy say
• People will break the law if they think it will benefit them
• Criminal justice system should deter people from committing crime
• Our legal system is based on deterrence
forsuregoing
• Certainty
to be caught
of punishment is more important than severity
• However, severity is ‘easier’ to accomplish
worth it
releee crime you hare to make Crome not
If you want to
crime
They deter from
0
