Abstract

Criminology has traditionally emphasized the offender, relegating theory, research, and policy on target decision-making to a place of relative unimportance. I advocate a different view. In choice theory, offenders prefer quick and easy reward at little risk, acting with target vulnerability very much in mind. I use choice theory concepts and assumptions to account for target precautionary behavior. The principles of certainty, swiftness, and severity can be developed to explain not only when people will act to limit vulnerability, but also suggest the kinds of precautions that tend to be chosen reliably. Low self-control, a source of victimization risk, lessens feelings of certainty of victimization and fosters a preference for the easiest and most immediately gratifying methods of protection. In addition to stimulating theorizing and research to improve the usage and consistency of precautionary behavior, this theory also offers insights about controversial choices to acquire defensive weapons.

摘要

犯罪学传统上强调犯罪者，将目标决策的理论、研究和政策置于相对不重要的位置。我主张不同的观点。在选择理论中，犯罪者更喜欢在风险很小的情况下快速而轻松的奖励，在行动时非常考虑目标的脆弱性。我使用选择理论的概念和假设来解释目标预防行为。确定性、迅速性和严重性的原则不仅可以用来解释人们何时会采取行动来限制脆弱性，还可以建议人们倾向于可靠地选择哪些预防措施。低自控力是受害风险的一个来源，降低了受害确定性的感觉，并促进了对最简单和最直接令人满意的保护方法的偏好。