Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of routine activity theory, which is a sociological explanation of predatory victimization with policy implications for crime prevention that is distinct from other leading theories. The narrative identifies the intellectual origins of routine activity theory in Amos Hawley’s work on human ecology. The central concepts and assumptions of routine activity theory are then described, specifically the fact that crime can only occur with the convergence in time and space of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and weak guardianship. The chapter then outlines the research literature testing the theory and its influence on criminology and policy more generally.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Brantingham, P. L., & Brantingham, P. J. (1993). Nodes, paths, and edges: Considerations on the complexity of crime and the physical environment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11, 89–99.
Cohen, L. E., & Felson, M. (1979). Social change and crime rate trends: A routine activity approach. American Sociological Review, 44, 588–608.
Cohen, L. E., Kluegel, J. R., & Land, K. (1981). Social inequality and predatory criminal victimization: An exposition and test of a formal theory. American Sociological Review, 46, 505–524.
Eck, J. E. (2002). Preventing crime at places. In L. W. Sherman, D. Farrington, B. Welsh, & D. L. MacKenzie (Eds.), Evidence-based crime prevention. New York: Routledge.
Felson, M. (1998). Crime and everyday life. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Felson, R. (1996). Big people hit little people: Sex differences in physical power and interpersonal violence. Criminology, 34, 433–452.
Gottfredson, M., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford.
Hawley, A. (1950). Human ecology: A theory of community structure. New York: Ronald.
Hayes, R. (1999). Shop theft: An analysis of shoplifter perceptions and situational factors. Security Journal, 12, 7–18.
Mayhew, P., Clarke, R. V., Burrows, J. N., Hough, J. M., & Winchester, S. W. (1979). Crime in public view (no. 2049, Home Office Research Study). London: British Home Office Research Publications.
Miethe, T. D., & Meier, R. (1993). Understanding theories of criminal victimization. Crime and Justice, 17, 459–499.
Miethe, T., & Meier, R. (1990). Opportunity, choice and criminal victimization: A test of a theoretical model. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 27, 243–266.
Osgood, D. W., Wilson, J., O’Malley, P., Bachman, J., & Johnston, J. (1996). Routine activities and individual deviant behavior. American Sociological Review, 61, 636–655.
Schreck, C. J., Wright, R. A., & Miller, J. M. (2002). A study of individual and situational antecedents of violent victimization. Justice Quarterly, 19, 159–180.
Tedeschi, J., & Felson, R. B. (1994). Violence, aggression, and coercive action. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Schreck, C.J. (2017). Routine Activity Theory. In: Teasdale, B., Bradley, M. (eds) Preventing Crime and Violence. Advances in Prevention Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44124-5_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44124-5_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44122-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44124-5
eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)