Routine Activities Theory: Definition of the Routine Activity Approach to Crime

In this video, I discuss routine activities theory, or the routine activity approach to crime. I provide a definition, explanation, and examples and discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses. Routine activities theory is cited or referenced in many criminological articles and essays. Its three components include the presence of a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardianship.

The routine activity approach to crime was developed by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson in an article published in 1979 and has since been applied to a variety of crime types including property crime and violence as well as newer crimes such as cybercrime and white collar crime. It also built the foundation for approaches such as situational crime prevention theory and plays an important role in the study of victimization and victimology. Together with the lifestyle exposure theory of victimization, it is often called crime opportunity theory, an important approach in sociology and criminology.

[Shortcutstv]

A really clear and straightforward explanation of RAT.

[BluieBeth]

This helped me so much with understanding my studies! Thank you! :-)

[coffeelover]

Thank you Margit for your content and introduction on the Routine Activity Theory. It was really concise and clear. As I studied Criminology at University, it's always refreshing to "re-hear" the dozens of criminological theories.

[pinkportal]

Great explanation of RAT, thank you for sharing!

[abdulrahmansaidu]

Thank you soo much.
I acquired much knowledge from your videos it helps me as a criminology and security studies students

[dylanbuckle]

This is excellent. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. The presentation is great. 👏

[ahmedabdallah]

Thanks for the excellent quick briefing about RAT

[upendodavid]

Thanks for sharing this video. I have a question on how exactly this theory prevent cyber crimes and how is it used as the technique for the investigation by the fraud investigators?

[genevievepeck]

thanks so much for this! I understand this theory much better now

[ashwinisuryawanshi]

Thank you so much mam..it's very fruitful ❤️🙏

[ruthangelynmontejo]

Thankyou for this video!! Its helps me and easy to understand of routine activity theory. Thankyou for this knowledge .Godbless you

[you_jay]

Hi Margit at @CriminologyWeb

Quick question: How can I link my current professional career degree in IT with criminology and criminal justice. After binge-watching your videos and doing some research, it piqued my interest to a drastic degree.

[hincksia]

Esperando pacientemente e em estado de low energy a hora de "sumir".

[gerrierobillos]

Ma'am can I use this for my activity?

[lincoe]

Interessant Margit. Goed uitgelegd ook. Passioneel verteld. Met een tukkers - engels accent:-). Hoe gaat het verder met je? Gr Hessel

[vinayajoseph]

Target hardening makes it more difficult for offenders to carry out crimes.

[FahadFSA]

5:41 I took a different meaning of homeless xD

[scottsun]

It seems that routine activities theory focus too much on the victim side of an offence, which would make more sense in property crimes and sexual crimes, as the motivation of these crimes is apparent. But for violent crimes like domestic homicide, more emphasis should be placed on the offender side since the motivation is not always obvious and should be analyzed thoroughly before coming to the final conclusion.

[qdtkzsu]

uh i don’t care up money or anything else i just care about other peoples lives and my friends also do