Rational Choice Theory Of Criminal Behavior

Throughout history, there have been countless amounts of evidence that illustrates that human beings are some of the most violent organisms on Earth. However, why it is that human beings tend to react to crime occurrences in different ways. Researchers have often wondered why some human beings prefer more violent crimes, than those that are less violent. When it comes to crime, individuals that pertain to different societies, do not always react in the same manner as those around them, which often causes them to be described as hypocrites. Meanwhile, even though everyone is entitled to their own opinion, differences in opinion when pertaining to criminal behavior, can often lead individuals to be ostracized from certain groups within those societies.
Crimes, especially violent crimes, have the tendency to either bring the best or worse in people. Additionally, one would assume that the more violent the crime(s), the more it would repel people. However, the truth is that today’s society tends to idolize individuals that commit violent and gruesome crimes; the more violent and gruesome, the more attention those individuals
According to the rational choice model, there is a consensual assumption which states that people seek some sort of gratification in order to avert any situation that may cause them pain in the near future. By seeking this gratification, they guarantee their well-being. Furthermore, the rational choice model also assumes that those in charge of creating laws will implement the necessary laws that will limit individuals from pursuing their selfish acts, which in this case would be their need for expressing their criminal behavior. That beings said, just the notion of being in trouble with the law would prevent individuals from participating in criminal activity. (Hirschi,