Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Crime Theory: Rational Choice, Routine Activities, General Deterrence, Specific Deterrence, Incapacitation. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
An 8 page examination of each of these theories. The contention is presented that criminal activity is directly affected by the degree of punishment which is doled out for a particular crime. The author speculates that harsher penalties, perhaps even televised executions, could go a long way toward reducing crime. Bibliography
lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
8 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPcrmTh3.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Criminologists, sociologists, and even psychologists often agree that specific factors in the lives of an individual determine
their propensity to commit a crime. Five particularly important theories regarding this propensity are: 1)Rational Choice, 2)Routine Activities,3)General Deterrence, 4)Specific Deterrence, 5)Incapacitation. A number of theories regarding
criminal and deviant behavior are substantiated with research and policy. Two of the most applicable of these theories to the problems we are experiencing today are the ecological perspectives
theory (which considers social factors, disorganization, control and the learning process)and the rational choice theory (which covers the factors relating to deterrence). Each of these theories has various subcomponents
and interrelationships with the other. According to the Rational Choice theory criminals prevent crimes because they rationalize out the plusses and minuses of
their actions. The rational choice theory contends that when the negatives outweigh the positives (from the criminals perspective) the criminal abstains from the criminal activity. The deterrence theories
enter into this equation and it, in turn, is broken into two subcomponents: general deterrence and specific deterrence. General deterrence might encompass the criminals perception of societal views
if criminal activity and how that view would extend to them if they were indeed to commit a crime. Specific deterrence, in contrast, would include specific penalties that would be
incurred for the infraction. The deterrence of criminal activity requires that an individual be cognizant of the consequences of their actions and that they care about those consequences.
The risk of apprehension and punishment must also outweigh the potential benefits in order for these consequences to serve as a significant deterrent. While one means of approaching this
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