Papers And Publications - Interdisciplinary Journal Of Und

Papers And Publications Interdisciplinary Journal Of Und

Excerpt from: Papers and Publications: Interdisciplinary Journal of Undergraduate Research Volume 2 Article Criminological Theory as Represented in Music Lyrics Arielle Hollman Florida Southern College, Rational Choice Theory Rational Choice Theory Rational choice theory has its roots in the Classical School of criminology (Williams & McShane, 2010). The Classical School arose in the eighteenth century and is commonly associated with Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. Beccaria believed that laws and justice should be based on rationality (Tierney, 2009). In order to deter crime, Beccaria proposed that punishment should be swift, certain, and proportionate to the crime. If the punishment failed to be swift, certain, or proportionate, deterrence would be ineffective.

Bentham emphasized the rationality of man and suggested that men operate according to the “pleasure-pain†principle (Williams & McShane, 2010, p. 18). According to this principle, all actions are performed with the intention of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. When applied to criminal behavior, the perspectives of Beccaria and Bentham suggest that crime is a rational choice of free will. The idea of a rational offender is central to rational choice theory, which suggests that crime occurs when the benefits of criminal activity outweigh the perceived costs (Williams & McShane, 2010).

Associated with this theory are Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke, who examined the various factors that potential offenders must consider when deciding whether or not to commit a crime (Cornish & Clarke, 1987). The factors are so numerous that Cornish and Clarke referred to them as a “constellation of opportunities, costs, and benefits.†Cornish and Clarke proposed that different types of crime may be more appealing in certain situations because the perceived costs and benefits of crime vary from one situation to another (as cited in Nagin & Paternoster, 1993). Raymond Paternoster (1989) has also examined rational choice theory. Paternoster conducted a study on adolescents and the factors affecting their decision to commit four types of minor offenses.

The offenses included liquor consumption, marijuana use, vandalism, and petty theft. Paternoster found that offenders are “informed decision makers†who actively assess and reassess information when determining whether or not to continue committing an offense. In regards to deterrence, Paternoster found that the severity of punishment had almost no effect on the decision to continue or quit the delinquent behavior. Although Paternoster’s findings are based on adolescents and delinquent behavior, these findings demonstrate the importance of certainty and swiftness of punishment in effective deterrence. Represented in Music Lyrics Rational choice theory is represented in the song “In the Ghetto†by Busta Rhymes (2006).

In the first verse, Busta Rhymes says “It be good if you flaunt it, we will take it if we want it†(Busta Rhymes, 2006). This line reveals the ease with which the character and his group are able to steal valuable items that they see displayed in their neighborhood. The character in this song is not concerned about the costs of crime, which shows effective deterrence is absent. In the same verse, the results of the cost-benefit analysis conducted by the character and his group are revealed: “And develop our muscle ‘til we sicker with the shine / In the struggle, thus our money come quicker doing crime†(Rhymes, 2006). In these lines, the song’s main character states that the benefits of crime (quickly acquired money) outweigh the costs (which are not even mentioned), especially when skill and influence (“muscleâ€) have been developed.

The character in this song is an informed decision maker that actively decides when and how to offend. Rational choice is also represented in Jay-Z’s “Never Change†(2001). The chorus, which describes the overall theme of the song, is “(Never, never, never, never change) / I’m still fuckin’ with crime cause crime pays / (I never change) / Out hustling, same clothes for days / (I never change) / I never change, I’m too stuck in my ways, I never change†(Jay-Z, 2001). In this verse, the character not only asserts that the benefits of crime outweigh the risks, but that the rewards are so worthwhile that he will never stop committing crime. The individual in this song has learned that punishment is neither certain or swift (he is able to commit crime for days at a time). As a result, this individual has learned to navigate Cornish and Clarke’s (1987) “constellation of opportunities†and has found the situations in which the benefits of crime outweigh the potential costs.

Paper For Above instruction

Criminological theories offer crucial insights into understanding criminal behavior, shaping policies, and developing effective crime prevention strategies. Among these theories, Rational Choice Theory stands out for its emphasis on the decision-making process of offenders. This paper explores the roots of Rational Choice Theory, its core principles, contemporary scholarly perspectives, and its representation in popular music, illustrating how the theory manifests in real-world decision-making related to crime.

Origins and Fundamental Principles of Rational Choice Theory

Rational Choice Theory traces back to the Classical School of criminology in the eighteenth century, primarily associated with Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham. Beccaria posited that laws should be based on rational principles, and that punishment could effectively deter crime if it was swift, certain, and proportionate to the offense (Tierney, 2009). Bentham further stressed human rationality, proposing the “pleasure-pain†principle, whereby individuals intentionally seek pleasure and avoid pain (Williams & McShane, 2010). Consequently, both scholars viewed criminal behavior as a rational choice made by individuals weighing potential benefits against possible costs.

Modern Refinements and Empirical Investigations

Contemporary criminologists, including Derek Cornish and Ronald Clarke, have expanded on these foundational ideas. They examined the multitude of factors that influence an offender's decision, coining the term “constellation of opportunities, costs, and benefits” (Cornish & Clarke, 1987). These factors vary perceptibly across different contexts, influencing the likelihood of offending. Raymond Paternoster’s research further complemented these insights by focusing on adolescents, showing that young offenders actively assess information when deciding whether to continue delinquent behavior. Interestingly, Paternoster’s findings indicated that punishments’ severity had minimal impact on the decision to persist, emphasizing the importance of certainty and swiftness over severity (Paternoster, 1989).

Representation of Rational Choice in Music Lyrics

Popular music often reflects societal realities, including criminal decision-making. Busta Rhymes’ song “In the Ghetto†exemplifies rational choice principles vividly. The lyrics “It be good if you flaunt it, we will take it if we want it†imply that individuals in impoverished neighborhoods perceive opportunities for crime as accessible and risk-accepting, neglecting deterrent factors. Moreover, lines like “And develop our muscle ‘til we sicker with the shine / In the struggle, thus our money come quicker doing crime†suggest that offenders consciously evaluate the benefits—like quick monetary gain—against the negligible perceived costs. The song underscores an offender’s active calculation, aligning with the concept of informed decision-makers.

Similarly, Jay-Z’s “Never Change†advocates that the rewards of crime can be so compelling that the offender remains committed despite potential risks. The repeated declaration “(I never change)†signifies a rational choice driven by perceived benefit over punishment, consistent with the core tenets of the theory. The protagonist’s ability to operate within a context of unpredictable but manageable risks further demonstrates the application of the “constellation of opportunities†exploited in rational decision-making (Cornish & Clarke, 1987). This portrayal reflects an understanding that, for some offenders, crime is a rational, calculated choice based on perceived rewards and manageable risks.

Implications for Crime Prevention and Policy

The insights derived from Rational Choice Theory underscore the necessity of enhancing perceived risks and reducing benefits to deter criminal activity effectively. Policy measures, such as increasing the certainty and swiftness of punishment, are more impactful than severity alone (Paternoster, 1989). Strategies like targeted surveillance, community policing, and swift judicial responses heighten perceived risks among potential offenders. Furthermore, understanding that offenders actively assess opportunities suggests that environmental design and situational crime prevention can disrupt perceived benefits, thereby reducing incidents of crime.

Conclusion

Rational Choice Theory offers a pragmatic lens for understanding criminal behavior, emphasizing that offenders are active decision-makers who weigh the potential rewards and risks involved. Its historical roots, empirical validations, and rich representation in music highlight its relevance in both academic and societal contexts. Effective crime prevention strategies will continue to benefit from this understanding by focusing on increasing the perceived costs and reducing the perceived benefits of criminal activity, thus deterring offending behavior more effectively.

References

• Beccaria, C. (1764). On Crimes and Punishments. Translated by Henry Paolucci, 1963. Bobbs-Merrill.
• Cornish, D. B., & Clarke, R. V. (1987). The Reasoning Criminal: Rational Choice Perspectives on Crime. Springer-Verlag.
• Paternoster, R. (1989). The deterrent effect of perceived severity of punishment: A critical review of the literature. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 26(4), 347-374.
• Tierney, S. (2009). Cesare Beccaria and the Classical School of Criminology. The Journal of Classics Education, 11(2), 58-64.
• Williams, F., & McShane, M. (2010). Criminological Theory (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Jay-Z. (2001). Never Change [Song]. Roc-A-Fella Records.
• Busta Rhymes. (2006). In the Ghetto [Song]. Aftermath/Interscope Records.
• Nagin, D. S., & Paternoster, R. (1993). Deterrence and incapacitation. In M. D. Tonry (Ed.), Crime and Justice: A Review of Research (pp. 1-54). University of Chicago Press.