Sadie Porter

&

Jeneva Scherr

THE REASONING OFFENDER: MOTIVES AND DECISION-MAKING STRATEGIES

&OPPORTUNITIES AND DECISIONS:

INTERACTIONAL DYNAMICS IN ROBBERY AND BURGLARY GROUPS

• A burglar(s) is in your house, apartment, condo, etc. You are there, but the burglar(s) doesn't yet know you are still in the house. In this situation, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself capable of rational thinking when you are aware of someone unfamiliar nearby?

• What type of action would you do given the option?

a.) Confront the burglar.

b.) Leave the house quietly.

c.) Let the burglar(s) steal and remain hidden.

d.) Call 911 right away.

e.) Lock all doors and windows, trapping the burglars inside.

• What other strategies would you consider and why?

• Which model do you think best describes a burglar's range of rational thinking?

a.) Narrow: All possibilities are considered; pros and cons are weighed before the act is carried out.

b.) Wide: The burglar has limited knowledge to alternate options. It is more beneficiary to go with what seems best at the moment.

• Criminals are most likely to “pass” a house that openly advertises a security company's name and move on to target houses that lack a proper name (Ch.2, pg. 39) In what ways would you suggest that homeowners can be directed to burglary-prevention tips such as this?

• Research shows that the majority ( about 2/3) of the sample burglars under the age of 25 prefer to avoid houses with dogs despite having contingency plans for quieting them; e.g.; petting them, feeding them, or killing them. Why do burglars tend to quickly avoid houses with dogs even if they have techniques to keep the dogs from barking?

• Would you rather encounter a small dog or a big dog? Why?

• When a burglar commits a crime, they are known by researchers to have the mentality for “living in the moment” so as to not think of the consequences. Health and religious professions often encourages us to live in the the moment to reduce distractions and stress. What is the difference in way of thinking that leads to these to opposite result.

• Criminals who are used to street life generally assume that everyone they interact with is equally comfortable with making money through illegal means. Describe another scenario where one from a particular background makes the assumption that everyone else perceives circumstances and actions that same way they do.

• Give reasons as to why robbers would choose to to commit crimes in groups. Note that in most cases of banding together, the majority of the group follows the lead of one or two influential members and are given drugs/alcohol before the crime to reduce sudden inhibition.

• Security systems are a paradox when targeting houses. Most burglars boast at being able to disarm any alarm or pick any lock, but when furthered investigated in custody admit to having no such skills. What factors would encourage a criminal to over-estimate their ability to steal even after arrest? What would they accomplish?

• Professional burglars are masters at making their crimes seem like any other scenario besides the crime to the passerby. If a van you do not recognize is parked outside of your neighbor's house, would you automatically think it was a burglary in the process? If not, what would prevent you from believing it was one?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfTNUhOa8xg

• What does a burglar not want to see?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-wGu2uoMRI

• What does a burglar look for?

• What are the three risk cues considered by burglars?

• What is an example of visibility that a burglar would be looking for?

• What is a burglar looking for or listening for when checking for occupancy?

• What makes a house not very accessible?

• According to Scarr (p. 24), what are some motivations for burglary?

• Long term rewards and future punishment appears to have a large effect on most burglars.

• True or False?

• What is “target convergence”?