A theory introduced in 1979 by Lawrence E. Cohen and Marcus Felson holding that crime occurs when three elements converge in time and space: a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountCrime requires the convergence, in time and place, of a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountThe theory is mainly a macro-level account of crime and victimization; it requires a motivated offender as one of its three elements but does not explain how such offenders become motivated in the first place. 1 Connections
Associated With
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Cohen and Felson tie the postwar rise in crime to changes in routine activity, naming the automobile specifically as both an offender-mobility tool and a proliferating suitable target -- the mechanism this edge cites for motor vehicle theft specifically.
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Developed By
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Source Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Informed
Both approaches explain crime through the convergence of offender, target and setting rather than offender pathology alone.
Source Wikipedia: Crime Pattern Theory
It targets the opportunity element of the offender, target and guardian convergence.
Source Wikipedia: Situational Crime Prevention
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Routine Activity Theory
Criticisms section
Routine activity theory is mainly a macro theory of crime and victimization. It requires motivated offenders, but does not explain how such offenders become motivated.
Lead section
Routine activity theory is a sub-field of crime opportunity theory that focuses on situations of crimes.
- Developed By: Lawrence E. Cohen
- Developed By: Marcus Felson
Associated With: Robbery, Applications section
Over time, the theory has been extensively employed to study sexual crimes, robberies, cyber crimes, residential burglary and corresponding victimizations, among others.
Associated With: Burglary, Applications section
Over time, the theory has been extensively employed to study sexual crimes, robberies, cyber crimes, residential burglary and corresponding victimizations, among others.
Associated With: Cybercrime, Applications section
Over time, the theory has been extensively employed to study sexual crimes, robberies, cyber crimes, residential burglary and corresponding victimizations, among others.
Associated With: Motor Vehicle Theft, Post-World War II social change section
the use of automobiles, on one hand, enables offenders to move more freely to conduct their violations and, on the other hand, provide more targets for theft
View the SourceWikipedia: Situational Crime Prevention
Wikipedia: Crime Pattern Theory
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