Criminology I Chose the Topic

Criminology

I chose the topic on rational choice theory, which describes why individuals chose to commit crimes in society. The reason I chose this topic is that it will help me understand the reasons people have for involving themselves in criminal behavior. The topic will help me understand why there are cases of social disorder in society and why some people do not practice social control. The topic also composes of crime control policy, which helps me understand why some of the ways in which authorities can control cases of crime in society. The topic also discusses criminological relevance.

Location of article

I located the article by searching for it in Google Scholar. Typing the key words 'rational theory' and 'criminology' led me to a variety of journals to chose. I looked at all the journals in display from where I would make my selection. My search methods included reviewing scholarly journals that discussed my preferred subject. I limited the document search to select articles written from the year 2000.

Evaluation of the article

My evaluation method would be looking for an article that had all the elements required in a peer-reviewed journal. These include an abstract, introduction, methods, data, results, discussions, conclusions and references. I located the article by distinguishing a normal article from a peer-reviewed article. Journalists write a normal or a popular article. These articles are short in length and have no reference. They also use non-technical language and have no citations. Peer-reviewed journals like the one I chose are lengthy, are written by professionals, have citations and use technical language. They also list authors' credentials.

What was the article about?

The article discusses how rational choice theory has come from early assumptions about the relationship between criminal behavior and formal sanctions. It was the assumption of people that when punishments get stiffer crime rates go down (Pratt 2008). The article discusses how policy makers use rational choice theory because it is possible for them to accrue political capital through fussing. Fussing occurs over who is tough in crime. People blame policy makers because they ignore criminological research and are timid to reject popular approaches to crime control. These approaches may be ineffective, but the knowledge gap between policy and research is also the fault of criminologists (Pratt 2008). The author, Pratt provides criminologists with sets of tools for getting work in consideration of public policy. These sets of tools involve rational choice as the framework for understanding emphasis on incentives. Pratt also presents four main suggestions that will narrow the gap between crime control policy and scholarly research.

Cost benefit calculus is central to rational choice framework and according to Pratt, it has matured to a comprehensive perspective whereby it appreciates the complexity of criminal behavior. In this article, Pratt suggests that individual perceptions of relative benefits and costs of engaging in criminal behaviors are consequences of contextual and individual factors (Pratt 2008). These influences include individual levels self-control and impulsivity. Others include experiences in crime, attachment to pro-social institutions, cost of punishments and environmental constraints for criminal opportunities.

Pratt uncovers the conditions from which sanctions may be effective in prohibiting criminal behaviors. This is a development in the rational choice. Pratt explains a research conducted from an evaluation of New Jersey muster program, which states that sanctions work best when the goals of the sanction are modest (Pratt 2008). The research does not place faith in the writing of laws for the correction of the behaviors of criminals. The study in the research show how some sanctions example the threat of facing incarceration bring about pro-social behaviors. This can be paying fines to the offended population.

Pratt describes crime control policies as those laws, governmental actions and regulations designed to reduce criminal acts. Policy makers at state, federal and local levels formulate and implement the crime control policies. Public safety is a responsibility of the government. The government needs to ensure that the agencies formulate and implement these policies for the safety of all citizens (Pratt 2008). In the article, Pratt states that crime control policy develops from some areas of study. Studying general descriptive studies of crime control by the police, corrections and courts is one area that has helped in crime control. These studies are in relation to some several factors. These include rehabilitation of offenders, historical studies of crime and critical inquiry of crime. Others include studies of reforms of crime control and studies of linking crime control to public policy.

Pratt suggests that the relevance of criminology is that it gives solutions as to how people can prevent a rise of criminal cases in society. People desire to protect themselves from negative situations they may encounter in the future. The relevance of criminology is that people need to safeguard their interests and safety (Pratt 2008). Criminal activities in society bring insecurity. Criminology, according to Pratt helps in offering solutions to these problems in society. Pratt states that an interest in crime is personal and bears a social qualification. This is evident because police and judiciary reporters in newspapers and television channels have programs and write essays on criminals and crime. There are private television channels that prepare programs related to court cases. This is also evident in literature, art and cinema. Many books and movies focus on crime and criminals.

Pratt, in his article, state that if society has a keen interest in crime, it will benefit because people will raise social awareness in the community. The society will check if people will obey rules of criminal law or not if they have an interest in crime. When the society sees that people who break criminal laws receive punishment, this raises the confidence levels of the community to the judicial system and state (Pratt 2008). This brings cohesion in the community. Failure to fight against crime by the police and failure by the judiciary system to prosecute offenders makes people lose trust in the state and judicial system. This increases criminal behavior in the community since these offenders know that they will not face the law. Pratt suggests that this may pilot a state of lawlessness whereby there will be no peace in the community.

Interesting points

The most interesting points to consider are the importance of criminology. Without criminology, crime levels would increase leading to disunity, lack of cohesion and poor economy. Criminology helps the state and judicial system find ways in which it can reduce crime rates. Criminology gives people hope since they know the criminals will face the full charges, prosecuted by a court of law and receive punishment (Pratt 2008). The article focuses on rational choice, and it affects cases on criminal activities. The important point to consider here is the sanctions that criminals will receive when they face the law. It is also crucial to note if these sanctions will help the criminal to change and become accountable.