What Is The Difference Between Rational Choice Theory Or Routine Activities Theory?

Criminologist have made many different theories to try to discover why there are criminals and how they are different from noncriminals. Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activities Theory are two examples of the different theories that criminologist have made. Between the two there are similarities and dissimilarities.

Rational Choice Theory is “a neoclassical theory asserting that offenders are free actors in their own actions” (Walsh and Hemmens 536). The gist of rational choice theory is a criminal makes the choice to commit the crime; that individuals are rational. They can think in a logical way. Rational choice theory is about people maximizing their advantages and minimizing their losses in different situations ( Root para. 2).

Routine Activities theory is “ a neoclassical

Walsh and Hemmens 122). Crime happens because of disrupted families, transient neighbors, poverty and all other negative aspects of disorganized neighborhoods. Which are said to be where routine activities invite crime (Walsh and Hemmens 122). This is not saying that organized neighborhoods don’t have crime, just tat it doesn’t have as much crime because they are organized and have things like neighborhood watch and other capable guardians around to prevent the crime before it happens.

“Routine activities theory argues that ‘target hardening’ was a major deterrent to crime” (Walsh and Hemmens 123). Target hardening is making police officer presence known and making sure that suitable targets are protected. Target hardening also increase video securities; cameras were put all over area of importance.

Routine activities theory is devised from the tradition of the rational choice theory but points to the routine activities in different societies and neighborhoods without involving individual differences. (Walsh and Hemmens