Rational Choice Theory Vs Latent Trait Theory
Rational Choice Theory & Latent Trait Theory
CJ200
September 28, 2013
1. Thesis
I will explore Rational Choice Theory and Latent Trait Theory. I will further show how society responds to criminal behavior. I will show similarities and divergences between the two theories.
2. History of Criminology
3. Rational Choice Theory
a. Evaluating the Risks of Crime
b. Offense- and Offender-Specific Crime
4. Latent Trait Theory
a. Crime and Human Nature
b. General Theory of Crime
5. Society’s Response to Criminal Behavior – General Deterrence
a. Certainty of Punishment
b. Severity of Punishment
c. Swiftness of Punishment
6. Similarities and Differences
a. Rational Choice Theory & Latent Trait Theory …show more content…
This approach was to stave off the amount of torture going on in this time period. It was a way to level the playing field of crime and punishment. Then came positivist criminology with the belief that certain traits within a person can determine criminal behavior—either biosocial or psychological traits. “Criminology combines social action data with criminal activity to understand motive and determine appropriate consequences. As such, criminology is necessary for the proper development and execution of criminal justice systems. From the case development to long after the verdict, criminologists are responsible for understanding why criminals do what they do. Through this information people will be safer, better understood and justly punished for crimes. The ultimate motive behind criminology though, is the prevention of crime” …show more content…
Both understand that different people process information in different ways. The information has to make sense before it can be used in any way. Even in the mind of a criminal, the choices, rational or impulsive, have to meet a kind of standard of reason—it has to make sense to them—thought it might not make sense to the rest of the world. Morality to an antisocial individual is based upon how they view their environment to include the people in it as well—and both theorists share this concept. Where they differ is how punishment for committing crime viewed or perceived. Criminals who make rational choices to commit crime don’t see themselves as ever getting caught. This is skewed rational based on how they view the world. This response can also be based on how these individuals may have witnessed others respond in the same circumstances when they were a youth. Seeing a parent or relative display this kind of arrogant behavior can have a lasting impression of how to cope when making such choices. Latent trait theorists believe that criminality is inevitable if given the opportunity exact it because this trait is innate and is governed by impulsiveness. Bottom line is rational choice criminality is always with mens rea whereas latent trait criminality isn’t necessarily with mens rea, but both do have actus
CJ200
September 28, 2013
1. Thesis
I will explore Rational Choice Theory and Latent Trait Theory. I will further show how society responds to criminal behavior. I will show similarities and divergences between the two theories.
2. History of Criminology
3. Rational Choice Theory
a. Evaluating the Risks of Crime
b. Offense- and Offender-Specific Crime
4. Latent Trait Theory
a. Crime and Human Nature
b. General Theory of Crime
5. Society’s Response to Criminal Behavior – General Deterrence
a. Certainty of Punishment
b. Severity of Punishment
c. Swiftness of Punishment
6. Similarities and Differences
a. Rational Choice Theory & Latent Trait Theory …show more content…
This approach was to stave off the amount of torture going on in this time period. It was a way to level the playing field of crime and punishment. Then came positivist criminology with the belief that certain traits within a person can determine criminal behavior—either biosocial or psychological traits. “Criminology combines social action data with criminal activity to understand motive and determine appropriate consequences. As such, criminology is necessary for the proper development and execution of criminal justice systems. From the case development to long after the verdict, criminologists are responsible for understanding why criminals do what they do. Through this information people will be safer, better understood and justly punished for crimes. The ultimate motive behind criminology though, is the prevention of crime” …show more content…
Both understand that different people process information in different ways. The information has to make sense before it can be used in any way. Even in the mind of a criminal, the choices, rational or impulsive, have to meet a kind of standard of reason—it has to make sense to them—thought it might not make sense to the rest of the world. Morality to an antisocial individual is based upon how they view their environment to include the people in it as well—and both theorists share this concept. Where they differ is how punishment for committing crime viewed or perceived. Criminals who make rational choices to commit crime don’t see themselves as ever getting caught. This is skewed rational based on how they view the world. This response can also be based on how these individuals may have witnessed others respond in the same circumstances when they were a youth. Seeing a parent or relative display this kind of arrogant behavior can have a lasting impression of how to cope when making such choices. Latent trait theorists believe that criminality is inevitable if given the opportunity exact it because this trait is innate and is governed by impulsiveness. Bottom line is rational choice criminality is always with mens rea whereas latent trait criminality isn’t necessarily with mens rea, but both do have actus