Rational Choice Theory Research Paper

The term choice theories also know and rational choice theories was developed by Dr William Glasser in 1995. This theory explains human desire to satisfy their genetic needs for survival, connecting, belonging, power, freedom, and fun (Allwords.com, 2011). These human desires require humans to make conscious choices and act upon those choices in any way they see fit to ensure the desires are satisfied. This relates to criminal activity because criminals may feel that crime is their only means of satisfying these needs.
To survive means to remain or continue in existence (Dictionary.com, 2011). The need to survive is experienced by all humans. Every person develops their own way to survive and makes conscious decisions to ensure their survival. Criminals make the decision to commit crimes such as theft to help pay for their survival while law abiders may choose to work for it.
Connecting and belonging go hand-in-hand. To connect with someone means to associate with someone in a personal, professional, mental, or emotional way (Dictionary.com, 2011). Belonging is what comes after the connection has been made. All people have a need and desire to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging with another person or group. Criminals may commit crimes because the people they have connect with or belong with commit crimes.
This model assumes that if several people came together, they would be able to come to agreement on the difference between right and wrong very quickly and easily. This society would have what they consider to be normal behavior and what they consider to be criminal behavior and everyone would agree that that is how it is. Any citizens following the criminal behavior would be a threat to the normal society and would be punished. This society would pass laws to prevent other from falling into the criminal