Lawrence Cohen

Definition

Lawrence Cohen is a prominent criminologist known for his work in developing the routine activities theory alongside Marcus Felson. This theory highlights how crime occurs when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardians converge in space and time. Cohen's insights into the interaction of these elements have been crucial in understanding patterns of criminal behavior and the societal factors that contribute to it, including economic conditions like unemployment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lawrence Cohen's collaboration with Marcus Felson on routine activities theory in 1979 has significantly shaped modern criminology by linking social behaviors to crime rates.
2. Cohen argued that changes in daily routines can affect opportunities for crime, suggesting that crime is not just a function of individual predisposition but also of societal structure.
3. The theory has been applied to analyze various types of crimes, revealing how shifts in employment and economic stability can influence criminal behavior.
4. Cohen's work emphasizes the importance of environmental and situational factors in understanding why crimes occur, rather than solely focusing on the characteristics of offenders.
5. His research also intersects with issues like unemployment, showing how economic downturns can increase crime by creating more motivated offenders and suitable targets.

Review Questions

• How does Lawrence Cohen’s routine activities theory explain the relationship between daily activities and criminal behavior?
  • Lawrence Cohen’s routine activities theory explains that criminal behavior is influenced by the convergence of three key elements: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardianship. When individuals engage in their daily routines, they inadvertently create opportunities for crime if these elements align. For example, if someone leaves their home unattended while at work (making it a suitable target) and no one is around to monitor it (lack of capable guardians), it increases the likelihood of burglary.
• Discuss how Lawrence Cohen’s theories could be applied to understand the impact of unemployment on crime rates.
  • Lawrence Cohen’s theories suggest that unemployment can lead to higher crime rates by increasing the number of motivated offenders. When individuals are out of work, financial stress may drive them to commit crimes as a means of survival. Additionally, unemployment may decrease community engagement and reduce capable guardianship, further increasing opportunities for crime. Thus, understanding these dynamics helps illuminate how economic conditions directly influence criminal activity.
• Evaluate the implications of routine activities theory for public policy aimed at reducing crime rates in economically disadvantaged areas.
  • Evaluating the implications of routine activities theory suggests that public policy aimed at reducing crime should focus on enhancing community surveillance and support systems in economically disadvantaged areas. By investing in social programs that improve job opportunities, community engagement, and capable guardianship measures—like neighborhood watch programs—policymakers can effectively decrease the likelihood of crime. This proactive approach emphasizes altering environmental factors and daily routines rather than solely addressing individual offenders or punitive measures.

Related terms

Routine Activities Theory: A criminological theory that posits that the likelihood of crime increases when three elements are present: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardianship.

Motivated Offender: An individual who has the desire or inclination to commit a crime, influenced by various social, economic, or personal factors.

Capable Guardianship: The presence of individuals or mechanisms that can prevent crime from occurring by monitoring or controlling environments where potential crimes might happen.