Rational Choice Theory and Human Behavior - Essay Example

Teacher’s Crime is any action which violates the law and renders the offender punishable. While criminal activities and felonies are condemned by all societies, attempts to control them have been futile. The link between human nature and crime has never been explained in a way which could answer all questions satisfactorily. Yet many theories have even devised, and one of them is the rational choice theory. Rational Choice Theory: It suggests that humans are rational beings. They weigh out their options before acting upon anything, as the worth of their actions is determined by the resulting outcomes. A man gauges his position, his benefits, and losses and thus makes a rational choice. How increase in penalties impact the crime? A crime or misdeed always comes with its consequences and the person who is guilty of violating the law is liable to punishment. The penalties of crimes differ with the nature of the offense and the circumstances under which the crime was committed. Shoplifting can be defined as the theft of goods or merchandise from a retail establishment. The penalty of shoplifting depends upon the penal code of the state where the theft has taken place. The penalty usually depends upon the retail value of the stolen goods; it can result in a fine or sometimes imprisonment as well in case the retail value of the stolen merchandise is very high or if the shoplifter has a criminal record (Shteir, 2011). In some states, shoplifting comes under the provision of theft or larceny. But even then it is considered a petty theft and the offenders are not charged and sentenced too harshly. While other states differentiate shoplifting from other theft offenses, shoplifters are charged lightly as compared to other theft offenders. Shoplifting is one of the most common types of property theft because the penalty for it is not too high. Rational choice theory posits that crime is a result of rational choices; people weigh both the ends before committing a certain crime. So, if people are under the impression that shoplifting is a petty crime with a low penalty and shoplifters are not sentenced heavily, there is a chance that they might get indulged in shoplifting more than in other crimes, for which the penalties are high. Unlike major thefts, there is a big chance that the offender might get away with shoplifting as it is done during working hours. Surveys and research have proved that most of the shoplifters are amateurs. If the penalties are increased, the people who are not professional criminals will think twice before committing a crime. If the outcome of the offense is not beneficial and theres more to lose than to gain, then the person will not commit the crime according to choice theory. In most cases stiffer penalties are directly related to crime deterrence, as the threat of higher penalties discourage criminals from committing crimes (Montaldo). If the punishment for shoplifting is increased on local levels or if the store managers and retail establishments increase security measurements on their own, there can be a huge change in shoplifting activities locally. We have agreed that shoplifting is an outcome of the rational calculation and choices of an offender who uses crime for his own utilities and benefits. But if the risk is too high and the benefits are low, then a rational individual will not indulge in shoplifting. In local stores, the administration can hire more security personnel, and locate more security cameras and convex mirrors etc. Another technique which is devised in some countries is that the customers are required to submit their bags upon entering the retail stores; this along with the inspection of receipts can help immensely in keeping a check on shoplifters. Even though the penal laws and state orders do not punish shoplifters harshly, these security measurements can help in keeping the local shoplifting in check. Sometimes if the stolen goods have a high retail value, the owners can sue the offender as well. Increased punishments can decrease the crime rate to a great extent but that depends mostly on the nature and behavior of the offenders involved. If they are interested in seeking their own benefit, then they will be cautious about shoplifting under high security measures and greater penalty risks, but if they are dangerous offenders who do not consider the rational side of things, then these measurements and increase in penalties wont have any major effect on their activities (Segrave, 2001). High punishments in general are a strong method of stopping crimes; if a penalty is harsh then most people are too intimidated by it to risk the offense. Thus, the crime rate is bound to get low and the number of offenses will reduce by the increase in punishment. Even if all of the offenders do not stop shoplifting by the taken measures, a significant part will, which will result in the reduction of the overall shoplifting offenses. It is stated in the Bible that: If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. ... If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. -- Exodus 22:1-3 This shows that a high penalty was set even in those times so that people would refrain from stealing at all. The offender was bound to pay even more than the double of what he had stolen; another high penalty was that s/he would be sold into slavery if the offender did not have the means of giving back what was stolen. Human behavior is such a diverse and complex factor that a single theory can never be applicable to all individuals committing the same offenses yet obvious patterns can be detected which show that there is more to criminology than random practices. Rational choice theory states that whatever choices an offender is making, s/he is fully aware of the consequences of their actions, and are therefore making rational choices and decisions taking in consideration both the good and bad effects these actions will have on them. Hence, if in any system the penalties for shoplifting are increased, harsher punishments are devised, and there are greater rewards for those who avoid these criminal activities, then a rational person will not shoplift any further. This is how rational choice theory is implemented in the case of shoplifting (Herrnstein, 2011). References: Herrnstein, R. (2011). Crime and human nature. Retrieved from http://www.enotes.com/crime-human-nature-salem/crime-human-nature Montaldo, C. (n.d.). About.com. Retrieved from http://crime.about.com/od/prevent/a/deterrence.htm Segrave, K. (2001). Shoplifting: a social history. (pp. 4-32). McFarland. Shteir, R. (2011). The steal: A cultural history of shoplifting. (1st ed., pp. 2-14). New York, Ny: The Penguin press. Read More