RT Article
T1 Rational choice, gang membership, and crime: moving actors and choice to center stage
JF The Oxford handbook of gangs and society
SP 444
OP 469
A1 Thomas, Kyle J.
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1919931511
AB Rational choice perspectives derive from the standard economic idea that individuals choose to engage in actions when the marginal benefits exceed the marginal risks and costs. Although there is considerable support for rational choice predictions across a range of outcomes related to crime, scholars have rarely invoked choice ideas when explaining issues related to gang involvement. The chapter discusses the foundations of a rational choice model of gang involvement, gang offending and gang disengagement. This perspective differs from traditional sociological views which focus on “causal” factors that are external to the individual, and instead recognizes individuals as agents who play an active role in their own social lives. This approach further allows for macro-sociological characteristics to be linked to a micro-level theory of action that can improve our understanding of gang-related issues. Throughout, the chapter offers tractable models of rational choice explanations to account for selection into gangs, offending and gang disengagement.
NO Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 465-469
SN 9780197618158
K1 rational choice theories
K1 Gang involvement
K1 Offending
K1 gang disengagement
K1 Decision Making