Rational Choice Theory: Why Individuals Choose - Essay Sample

Introduction

The Rational Choice Theory is based on the fundamental tenets of classical criminology, which holds that individuals freely decide their behaviors. Such behaviors are motivated by the desire to avoid pain and pursuit of pleasure. Under such circumstances, individuals assess their choices of actions regarding the ability of each option to generate a certain level of advantage, happiness, and pleasure. Thus, through this theory, we can understand the micro-perspective of why individuals choose to commit specific types of crimes.

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The "Italian Job" is developed towards a specific objective. In the film, it is evident that one of the leading masterminds of the operation, Charlie Croker, is pushed by the desire to steal the 35 million worth of gold bullion from a safe under the possession of the Italian gangsters, who had stolen it a few weeks earlier. In his view, Charlie believes that stealing the gold bullion will be an opportunity for them to gain an immeasurable amount of wealth for their personal development. As a result, the robbers under the leadership of Charlie, create the most massive traffic jam within the Los Angeles city to execute this kind of operation. It further gives them time to pull off a theft of gold bullion. They ultimately succeed in getting away through their choppers, which are small enough to drive on the sidewalks purposely to get away before the traffic jam clears. With this explanation, it becomes clear that Charlie's motives to recruit a team of gangsters are motivated by personal intuitions, which is explained adequately by the rational choice theory.

The short-term and long-term criminal decisions and involvement of another character, Stella Bridger, can be explained through the perspective of the rational choice theory too. The overarching goal of Stella Bridger to involve herself in this criminal scheme is to revenge the betrayal by Steve. Charlie puts his crew back, consisting of Stella, who is a professional, safecracker. The team consists of the computer genius Lyle, Wheelman Handsome Rob, and the Left-Ear, who is the explosive expert. While it is evident that this crew has been organized to deliver its objectives effectively, it goes for revenge rather than the catch's monetary value. Everyone in this crew possesses something to revenge upon. For example, Stella receives her motivation from the fact that mark is the same individual who murdered her father. This situation tremendously alleviates her reluctance and decision to join the crew.

A closer look at the film will reveal that Stella's role is sole because it is the daughter of the highly famous master safecracker John Bridger and, therefore, would aid in the breaking into the safe that holds the gold. Ideally, such a central role to the plot was never given to any female character in the older version of the "Italian Job." Such integration demonstrates a drastic increment in respect towards the female in predominantly male roles.

Spatial Arrangement of Attractive Target theory

The spatial arrangement of an attractive target is another theory that explains the manner on which crime can be operated, and specific goals of criminal activities pursued. It involves the processes through which criminals can adopt to achieve their objectives. The theory holds that the presence of targets, weak handlers, ineffective guardianship, and indifferent management are not randomly distributed across places. This means that the criminals do not meander aimlessly across the landscape. Like everyone else, the criminals have routine behaviors that lead them to discover beautiful things or places where they believe they can get their targets. Thus, the spatial ordering of the crime opportunities and the behaviors of the offenders establish numerous of the observed criminal challenges.

The final heist begins after the success of the first heist. In this case, Steve betrays all his gang teams to remain with the entire monetary wealth. Steve kills John when he admonishes him. In the event, Rob goes on to drive the van over the bridge into waters to protect others using the air tanks from the heist, and this enables them to stay alive. He leaves them for dead, which is not the case. Although they do not admit to doing this because of money, it becomes clear that they are more concerned about their feelings or intuitions. They are highly enraged by the death of John and are thus determined to do everything to get the gold back. It is, however, little suspicious for them to claim that they are much driven by the forces to revenge in case the benefit of their heist goes entirely to them and not another person too. This heist considerably confirms the theory of spatial arrangement of attractive projects based on the fact that the offenders possess certain behaviors that make them discover the attractive things or places where they believe they can get their targets. Steve is the primary target in the second heist, and his presence provides considerable motivation to operate.

References

Gary G. Statham Mark Wahlberg Italian Job. YouTube. 30 May, 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuDKJfhqJsg