Crime and Nature: The Criminological Theories of Marcus Felson

Marcus Felson is a criminologist who has developed several theories about the relationship between crime and the environment. His most well-known theory is the routine activity theory, which argues that crime is more likely to occur when there is a suitable target, a motivated offender, and the absence of capable guardians. Felson has also developed the environmental criminology theory, which examines the role of the physical environment in crime prevention.

Crime and Nature

by Marcus Felson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7144 KB
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	408 pages
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Routine Activity Theory

The routine activity theory is based on the idea that crime is a function of the interaction between three elements: a suitable target, a motivated offender, and the absence of capable guardians. A suitable target is a person or property that is vulnerable to attack. A motivated offender is someone who has the desire and ability to commit a crime. Capable guardians are people or institutions that can protect potential targets from crime.

According to the routine activity theory, crime is most likely to occur when there is a convergence of these three elements. For example, a car is a suitable target for theft if it is parked in an unlocked area at night. A person is a suitable target for robbery if they are walking alone in a dark alley. A home is a suitable target for burglary if it is unoccupied during the day.

The routine activity theory has been used to explain a wide range of crimes, including property crimes, violent crimes, and white-collar crimes. It has also been used to develop crime prevention strategies, such as target hardening, surveillance, and community policing.

Environmental Criminology Theory

The environmental criminology theory examines the role of the physical environment in crime prevention. Felson argues that the physical environment can have a significant impact on crime rates. For example, a well-lit street is less likely to be a target for crime than a dark street. A building with good security measures is less likely to be burglarized than a building with poor security measures.

The environmental criminology theory has been used to develop a variety of crime prevention strategies, such as crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and situational crime prevention. CPTED involves designing the physical environment to make it more difficult for crime to occur. Situational crime prevention involves changing the specific circumstances that make crime more likely to occur.

Felson's Contributions to Criminology

Marcus Felson is one of the most influential criminologists of the past 50 years. His theories have had a major impact on the way that we think about crime and crime prevention. His work has helped us to understand the relationship between crime and the environment, and it has led to the development of new crime prevention strategies.

Felson's theories have also been criticized by some criminologists. Some critics argue that Felson's theories are too deterministic and that they do not give enough attention to the role of individual choice in crime. Other critics argue that Felson's theories are too focused on the physical environment and that they do not give enough attention to the social and economic factors that contribute to crime.

Despite these criticisms, Felson's work has made a significant contribution to the field of criminology. His theories have helped us to understand the relationship between crime and the environment, and they have led to the development of new crime prevention strategies. Felson is a leading criminologist who has made a significant impact on our understanding of crime.

Marcus Felson is a criminologist who has developed several theories about the relationship between crime and the environment. His most well-known theory is the routine activity theory, which argues that crime is more likely to occur when there is a suitable target, a motivated offender, and the absence of capable guardians. Felson has also developed the environmental criminology theory, which examines the role of the physical environment in crime prevention. Felson's theories have had a major impact on the way that we think about crime and crime prevention. His work has helped us to understand the relationship between crime and the environment, and it has led to the development of new crime prevention strategies.

Crime and Nature

by Marcus Felson

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7144 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	408 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE