Exploring the Criminal Decision Process: Rational Choice, Irrational Behaviour?

The book provides a thorough investigation and overview of the decision making process that individuals may (or may not) go through when proceeding to commit a crime. Drawing on interviews with real offenders and conducted in a novel way, this book includes quotes throughout which make their decision making and emotional processes relatable to the reader. It examines a range of offences from petty theft to murder and includes both male and female offenders. Based on various iterations of the rational choice theories of crime, this book examines the relevance of these theories in real offending situations and the influence of emotion and context on these decisions. Finally, it explores how understanding the decision making process of committing offences can inform criminal justice practice.

Rachael Steele is Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice and the interim subject lead for Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University, UK.