Analyzing Rational Crime — Models and Methods

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Olof Dahlbäck

      Pages 1-8

3. Single Choices

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9

      PDF

   2. General Theoretical Presuppositions

      1. The Assumption of Rationality

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 13-18

      2. Rational Decisions under Conditions of Risk

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 19-33

      3. Descriptive Validity of the Rationality Theories of Expected Utility Maximization

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 34-49

      4. Interpersonal Comparison of Utility

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 50-57

   3. Analyses

      1. Previous Research

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 61-70

      2. Research Strategies

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 71-85

      3. Analyzing the Bivariate Linear Relationships between Choice and Punishment Factors

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 86-93

      4. Experimental Analysis

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 94-100

      5. Nonexperimental Analysis

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 101-105

4. Aggregated Choices

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-110

      PDF

   2. General Theoretical Presuppositions

      1. Applying the Rationality Model to Individual Criminality

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 113-120

      2. Rationality and Proneness to Taking Risks

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 121-126

      3. Societal Crime

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 127-133

   3. Analyses

      1. Previous Research on Individual Criminality

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 137-146

      2. Previous Research on Societal Crime

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 147-154

      3. An Aggregation Model

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 155-162

      4. Basing the Analysis on Crime Opportunity and Crime Propensity Factors

         • Olof Dahlbäck

         Pages 163-173

Olof Dahlbäck's book breaks new ground for the analysis of crime from a rationality perspective by presenting models and methods that go far beyond those with which researchers have hitherto been equipped. The book examines single crimes, individual criminality, and societal crime, and it discusses thoroughly the general decision theoretical presuppositions necessary for analyzing these various types of crime. An expected utility maximization model for a single discrete choice regarding the commission of a crime is the foundation of most of the analyses presented. A version of this model is developed that permits interpersonal comparisons, and this basic model is used when deriving more complex models of crime as well as when analyzing the potential for such derivations. The rigorous, powerful methods suggested provide considerable opportunities for improving research and for seeing old problems in a new light.

• Crime
• Criminology
• Ehrlich
• calculus
• punishment
• rational choice
• strategy

• Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

  Olof Dahlbäck

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