How Do Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson Explain the Changes

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The Answer is Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson are the sociologists behind the Routine Activity Theory, which they developed to explain changes in crime rates. According to their theory, for a crime to occur, three elements must be present: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian. They argue that changes in crime rates are not solely due to changes in the number of potential offenders but also to changes in routine activities that affect the availability of targets and the presence of guardians.

Routine Activity Theory suggests that as the daily patterns of social interaction change, opportunities for crime arise. For example, if more people are out working instead of being at home, there are more empty houses, making them suitable targets for burglary. Similarly, if there are more valuable goods being carried around by individuals, there are more opportunities for theft.

Cohen and Felson argue that societal changes, such as increased employment of women outside the home, the rise in single-person households, and the growth of consumer goods, have led to changes in routine activities that, in turn, affect crime rates. They also emphasize that technological advancements and the evolution of social structures can create new opportunities for crime.

The theory also posits that crime can be prevented by altering any one of the three elements. For example, increasing the presence of capable guardians (such as police, security systems, or community watch programs) can help to deter potential offenders. Making targets less suitable (through better security measures, for instance) can also reduce crime rates.

Cohen and Felson's Routine Activity Theory has been influential in criminology because it shifts the focus from the characteristics of offenders to the circumstances that make crime possible. It has been used to explain patterns of crime over time and across different contexts, and it has implications for crime prevention strategies that focus on changing the environment and the opportunities for crime rather than solely on changing the potential offender's behavior.

How Do Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson Explain the Changes

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