Routine Activity Theory
일상 활동 이론
A crime opportunity theory stating that predatory criminal acts require the convergence in space and time of a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.
| Field | Criminology · Sociology |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Micro · Individual |
| Paradigm | Rational Choice Structuralism |
| Key figures | 👤 Lawrence E. Cohen (로렌스 코언) 👤 Marcus Felson (마커스 펠슨) |
| Year | 1979 |
Key Claims
Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson demonstrated that post-WWII crime surges were driven not by economic deprivation, but by changes in routine daily activities (e.g., increased female labor participation, lightweight consumer goods) that increased the spatial convergence of suitable targets and motivated offenders without guardians.
Further Reading
- Cohen, L. E., & Felson, M. (1979). Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review, 44(4), 588–608.
Related theories 2개
An environmental criminological theory asserting that visible signs of minor disorder and vandalism foster an atmosphere of lawlessness that encourages more serious crimes.
A prominent social control theory proposing that individuals refrain from committing crime when their bonds to conventional society—attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief—are strong.