About the author
Nivea Robin is a Unitary LLB Graduate from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram
Consider that you have a chance of stealing some amount of money. You have no chance of getting caught. You also do not know where the money came from. Would you steal the money, think about doing it, or refrain from doing it?
The Rational Choice Theory assumes that participation in criminal activity is the result of a rational decision-making process by which the costs and benefits associated with crime are consciously weighed. Which means that an individual may decide to participate in criminal activity if the benefits of crime are determined to be greater than its costs.The conceptual foundations of the RCA originate in Cesare Beccaria’s 1764 essay On Crimes and Punishments and Jeremy Bentham’s 1789 work, An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
Rational Choice Theory and Deterrence Theory are both core theories in Classical Criminology. As a modern counterpart of deterrence theory, the rational choice perspective assumes that, man has the power and ability to freely choose his own actions and behaviours. Inherent in the rational choice framework is also the principle of the “utility” of partaking in a certain behaviour. What is meant by this is that, as one progresses through the decision-making process, costs and benefits of potential outcomes are weighed, and rational, conscious choices are made to maximize pleasure and minimize pain.
According to this utilitarian principle, individuals freely choose to engage in criminal activity because crime is perceived as gratifying, rewarding, and easy. However, considering the theory’s assumption that man is rational by nature, it is assumed that the threat or fear of punishment should result in the individual conforming to the central idea of deterrence. The general assumptions of rational choice theory can be summarized as follows:
Humans are purposive and goal oriented;
Humans have sets of hierarchically ordered preferences, or utilities; and
In choosing behaviour, human beings make rational decisions with respect to:
a. the utility of alternative behaviours with reference to the hierarchically ordered preferences,
b. the costs of each alternative, and
c. the best potential to maximize utility
While many of the present criminological theories see punishment as the best deterrent to crime, RCT focuses instead on prevention. As such, Beccaria proposed that swift, severe, and certain punishment that is proportional to the crime being committed will serve as the most effective deterrent (Kubrin, Stucky, & Krohn, 2009). Accordingly, due to the seemingly large increase in the number of incarcerated criminals over the past few decades, RCT has returned to the forefront as a potentially viable explanation for criminal behaviour.
Additionally, the offender’s rational decision-making process makes a distinction between “criminal involvement” and involvement in the “criminal event.” Criminal involvement is based on factors such as moral codes, previous learning experiences, and personal experiences with crime, and refers to the decision regarding the willingness to commit crime in order to satisfy needs. On the other hand, criminal events relate to particular offenses that a person may choose to commit. The decision to carry out the crime is heavily influenced by contextual and situational factors, such as immediate need for money, as well as the perceived costs and benefits of the crime (Cornish & Clarke, 1986; Guerette, Stenius, & McGloin, 2005). This dynamic nature of rational choice decision-making is implicit of the modernized theory. In sum, a constant revolving cycle of planning, adapting, and evaluating information leads to the decision-making process involved with present and future criminal activity (Paternoster, 1989).
Two subsidiary theories are at the center of modern rational choice theory: Situational Choice Theory, also known as Situational Crime Prevention, and Routine Activity Theory. The first theory,was advanced by R.V. Clarke and later incorporated into his RCT framework. Founded on the idea that people commit crime based on situational factors in addition to the crime itself, situational crime prevention attempts to manipulate the environment to reduce opportunities likely to lead to crime. In essence, this theory aims to portray criminal activity as harder, riskier, and less rewarding in the hopes of reducing criminal activity.
Consistent with the rational choice perspectives, Routine Activity Theory focuses on the characteristics of crime rather than on those of the actual offenders (Cohen & Felson, 1979). According to the theory, three elements must be present for a crime to occur: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardianship. Essentially, whether an individual commits a crime is largely dependent on the interplay between motivation, opportunity, and the targets that are present in his or her everyday life. In a more recent assessment of the principles of the routine activity perspective, Osgood and colleagues (1996) reported that a large portion of delinquent behaviouroccur during periods of informal and unsupervised socializing with peers, away from home and authority figures. Specifically, they found that routine activities are strongly associated with a wide range of delinquent and criminal behaviors, including heavy alcohol use, illicit drug use, and dangerous driving (Osgood et al., 1996; Kubrin et al., 2009).
All kinds of crimes are registered with the Government of India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). For its annual report, the NCRB receives data from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) and the District Crime Records Bureau (DCRB) each year. There is also data from megacities (cities with a million people or more). This information is given individually by district and is grouped by different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). India’s crime rate dropped from 487.8 incidences per 100,000 people in 2020 to 445.9 in 2021, according to the NCRB. The following chart shows the Crime Rate Report of India of 2023.
Analysis of Various Crime Cases in India
Latest Crime Rate Report of India 2024
In comparison to 2023, India’s 2024 crime report indicates a minor overall drop (0.56%).. However, there are concerns. Rape cases rose 1.1% and kidnappings surged 5.1%. Crime rates in urban regions continue to be higher than in rural ones. The research attributes the overall decline to enhanced law enforcement, a more noticeable police presence, and rising public knowledge of crime prevention.
In India, 445.9 crimes were reported for every 100,000 residents in 2024. Theft is the most frequent crime in India, followed by robbery and assault. Compared to rural areas, urban areas have a greater crime rate.
Major Crime Categories and Trends
Understanding the contemporary criminal landscape requires an investigation of the major categories and patterns of crime rates. These classifications cover a wide variety of criminal offenses in India, such as murder, assault, theft, robbery, and sexual offenses. Analysing trends within these categories offers important information into how criminals are changing their behaviours and strategies. Among the most notable current trends is the rise in cybercrime, which includes identity theft and online fraud among other types.
In addition, there is continuous worry about crimes against women and children, which include issues like child abuse and sexual assault. For law enforcement organizations and legislators, keeping a close eye on the main categories of crimes and spotting new trends are essential. This examination facilitates the development of successful crime prevention plans, guaranteeing the security and protection of the general population.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of preferences among individuals who choose to offend and those who do not. Assuming that all criminals have the same preferences or that a single preference—such as the rush of committing a crime or its financial rewards—dominates in their choices is absurd. Preferences vary, crime provides an array of returns, and people differ in their assessments of crime’s costs and benefits. Also, the decision to offend may be strategically chosen given the decisions made by others; its utility may change—from being a dominant to a non-dominant strategy—depending on the strategic choices of others. Although we often assume that offenders and the police (as well as victims and other agents of social control) have unique preferences that are oppositional, independent and stable, based on deterrence research and game theory, it is possible for the preferences of each group to overlap and to alter in reaction to each other’s actions and strategy choices.
In general, maintaining peace and order in the nation depends on crime prevention. One of the main tactics used is the deployment of additional police to deter criminal activity. However, their relationship is very complex. Other factors that may impact India’s crime rates include poverty, unemployment, and lower per capita income.
References
Beaudry-Cyr, Maude. (2015). Rational Choice Theory.
Beccaria, C. [1764] (1996). Of crimes and punishments. (J. Grigson, Trans.) New York, NY: Marsilio Publishers.
Bentham, J. [1789] (1948). An introduction to the principle of morals and legislations. Oxford, UK: Blackwell.
Clarke, R. V. G. (1997). Situational crime prevention. Criminal Justice Press.
https://www.ncrb.gov.in/
Turner, 1997, p. 354
