Embeddedness, Reflected Appraisals, and Deterrence: A Symbolic Interactionist Theory of Adolescent Theft

Matsueda, Ross L.; O’Neill, Kate K.; Kreager, Derek A.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41231-9_9

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Fortunately, some notable efforts have been made to incorporate symbolic interactionist insights into rational choice models—a development we hope will continue (e.g. Matsueda et al, 2020)—though these hybrid approaches still prioritize the role of costs–benefit calculi in decision making.…”

Section: Reevaluating the “Rational” In “Rational Choice Theory”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the tautology problem in rational choice theory: What it is and how to move forward theoretically and empirically

Steinmetz,

Pratt

2024

European Journal of Criminology

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Criminological rational choice theory is blighted by tautology—that if a crime occurs, then by definition the benefits must exceed the costs. The current analysis details the nature of this tautology as well as its theoretical and philosophical implications concerning the circumstances under which offenders make rational (thoughtful and reflective) or irrational (habitual, intuitive, or instinctual) choices. In short, rational choice theorists appear to side-step the problems presented by this tautology by attempting to coerce observations and theorizing to conform with assumptions about cost–benefit rationality. This essay concludes by setting forth an agenda for the continued empirical investigation of the rational choice perspective—one where the perceived cost/benefit analysis itself for criminal behavior is treated as the outcome of interest.

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Section: Reevaluating the “Rational” In “Rational Choice Theory”mentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the tautology problem in rational choice theory: What it is and how to move forward theoretically and empirically

Steinmetz,

Pratt

2024

European Journal of Criminology

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“…People have selves or identities which determine their configuration of preferences. In symbolic interactionism, identities comprise shared and continuously updated understandings of expectations about role taking (Matsueda, O’Neill, and Kreager 2020; Mead 1934; Stryker 2008). In their Identity Theory of Desistance (“ITD”), Paternoster and Bushway (2009:1128) proposed that, beyond judgmental differences or exogenous turning points, desistance requires an enduring reorientation about “things that are valuable.” This occurs when someone fears their future self enough to cultivate a prosocial identity.…”

Section: The Interplay Of Personal and Situational Moralitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Situational Moral Evaluations: The Role of Rationalizations & Moral Identity

Herman

Pogarsky

2023

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

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Objectives Criminological research increasingly aims to better understand criminal behavior in context. Recent advancements demonstrate how perceptions of legal sanction risk are anchored in reality and influence offending decisions. Yet research on extralegal considerations involving morality has not kept pace. Such research has downplayed situational moral dynamics in offending decisions. This study presents and tests a conceptual framework on personal and situational morality that features situational rather than decontextualized moral evaluations of crime opportunities. Enduring personal morality is captured with the concept of moral identity. Findings are presented on the interrelationship between situational inputs, moral evaluations, and moral identity. Methods Data are collected with a survey containing randomized experiments to a nationwide sample of respondents ( n = 502). Findings Situational moral evaluations of specific crime opportunities vary positively with the presence of circumstances conducive to rationalizing the misconduct. There is also some indication that rationalization processes are more pronounced for individuals with stronger moral identities. Conclusions Criminological research should more closely target situational moral dynamics to better understand crime decision-making.

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