Rational Choice Theory and Social Bonding Theory
Name: Prateeksha Ravi
Student ID: 20416391
Case 1: When Need Turns to Greed – Chapter 1
Case 2: Compulsive Gambler – Chapter 5
Case 3: The Honest Crime – Chapter 6
Clarke and Cornish’s rational choice theory draws light on the fact that crime
is a purposive behavior designed to meet the individual’s need for pleasure and
happiness. It is a utilitarian belief that humans are rational actors who weigh the
costs and benefits to make rational decisions to maximize individual pleasure.
However, the concept of bounded rationality suggests that individuals lack the
ability and resources to arrive at an optimal decision. This theory considers the
offender’s subjective perspective to understand their reasoning and thought process
behind committing the crime.
Travis Hirschi’s social bonding theory emphasizes four elements namely,
attachment, commitment, involvement and belief, that act as social controls to
promote conformity and prevent deviance (SOC 229 course notes). This theory also
argues that social bonds can lead to crime if attachments are made with other
criminals rather than those who would constrain such behavior. Most crimes take
little skill to commit and since the rational perspective overemphasizes the
intellectual sophistication of the offender, the social learning theory provides a good
counterbalance through its image of offenders as “losers” (SOC 229 course notes).
In the case When Need turns to Greed, the offender was driven by the initial
motivation of obtaining money quickly to support his family. He did not take any
precautions and only chose banks that were unoccupied by customers and cameras.
