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

TRANSCRIPT: https://criminologyweb.com/routine-ac... 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.