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Rational Choice Theory Paper

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The primary assumptions of Rational Choice Theory, is the beliefs that “human beings are rational and self-interested beings who are affected by the consequences of their actions” (Miller, 4). It is said that a person considers reason to their actions, such as: opportunities; the results that may come of the actions (advantages), costs, benefits. A person is capable of finding reasons to support their actions or at least try to create something to make them feel like the decision they make is justifiable; “rational choice theorists is not that individuals are purely rational in their decision making, but rather that they do consider the costs and benefits” (Hagan, 116). Miller (2009), said that “various costs and benefits that are considered by the would-be offender are the subjective ones” (p. 8), in other words, a soon to be offender will choose to commit an offense after …show more content…
Sutherland (as cited in Hagan, 2013) defined white-collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation” (p. 281). It explains the individual’s actions leading to committing as offenders find way to make the benefits more worthwhile by trying to adjust the risks of the costs which are far more costly in disguise. According to Sutherland, as cited in (Hagan, 2013): “despite the fact that white-collar crimes cost several times more than other crimes put together, most cases are not treated under the criminal law. White-collar crime differs from lower-class criminality only in the implementation of criminal law that segregates white-collar criminals administratively from other criminals” (p. 282). I guess this means white-collar crimes are usually fraud and instead of streets crimes, because they are less violent, and usually committed within the organizations or corporates’ executives and etc. for example, collapse of Enron that had a serious lasting impact on it

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