Linking Criminal Choices, Routine Activities, Informal Control, and Criminal Outcomes (From Reasoning Criminal, P 119-128, 1986, Derek B Cornish and Ronald V Clarke, eds. - See NCJ-102282)

• NCJ Number: 102288
• Author(s): M Felson
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Springer-Verlag
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The author attempts to link two influential theories in criminology: his control theory which does precisely the opposite.

Abstract

Two concepts link these theories: (1) the 'handled offender,' the individual susceptible to informal social control by virtue of bonds to society; and (2) the 'intimate handler,' someone with sufficient knowledge of the potential offender to grasp the 'handle' and exert control. The routine activities of everyday life set the scene for interactions between these people and between the crime target and any guardians. Arguing from the rational choice perspective, the paper contends that routine activity theory and control theory together provide the context within which individuals make choices. In summary, one must study the volume and composition of people and property, their relationships, and their movements according to map, clock, and calendar to understand the rational order of crime. Diagram and 11 references. (Editor abstract modified)