Based on the readings "americas real criminal element" by Kevin drum and "social structure & anomie" by Robert merton, of all the provitist theories given, why would rational choice theory be helpful in your as a criminal defence lawyer and why?

give an example of how you would apply it?

why would it be of more use to you than a different theory?

Incorporate own personal experiences

Rational Choice Theory

--to what extent are criminals rational?: many are impulsive and enjoy it

--development of free will theory

--theory's basic assumptions seem valid but it just does not seem to work well

--if you give people more opportunities to commit crime without getting caught you do get more crime

--the "police at the elbow" rule: even the most impulsive would restrain themselves in front of cop

--most crime is not that instrumentaljoy-riding, sexual assault, vandalism, mugging