I believe accessibility may increase the frequency someone attempts a crime but not the number of people who will engage in it.
Think about grocery stores ... many leave items outside the store. You're expected to inconveniently walk in and pay for it.
Yet do you see people rampantly ripping off those potted plants or cantaloupes? Although that crime is highly accessible it doesn't happen.
Now if we were to leave cigarettes out there, of course it would disappear. But the question here is whether there would be more thieves or just more thievery from the same individuals?[1]
The theory is that certain people have relationship dynamics to society which in their mind, justifies these actions. This theory supports looting grocery stores during some catastrophic natural disaster. Under this theory, if you can change the dynamics by which someone identifies with society, you'd see fewer issues.
But this is mere speculation. Is there any literature on this?
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1. In the lens of this theory, one may claim looting cigarettes is part of their terrible nicotine addiction. This unfortunate narrative constitutes an (unjustifiable) reason to steal the item. The idea "I'm a screw up so this is the role I play in society" is a very Zimbardo-prison way of looking at things - but I think it's unfortunately true.
I believe accessibility may increase the frequency someone attempts a crime but not the number of people who will engage in it.
Think about grocery stores ... many leave items outside the store. You're expected to inconveniently walk in and pay for it.
Yet do you see people rampantly ripping off those potted plants or cantaloupes? Although that crime is highly accessible it doesn't happen.
Now if we were to leave cigarettes out there, of course it would disappear. But the question here is whether there would be more thieves or just more thievery from the same individuals?[1]
The theory is that certain people have relationship dynamics to society which in their mind, justifies these actions. This theory supports looting grocery stores during some catastrophic natural disaster. Under this theory, if you can change the dynamics by which someone identifies with society, you'd see fewer issues.
But this is mere speculation. Is there any literature on this?
----
1. In the lens of this theory, one may claim looting cigarettes is part of their terrible nicotine addiction. This unfortunate narrative constitutes an (unjustifiable) reason to steal the item. The idea "I'm a screw up so this is the role I play in society" is a very Zimbardo-prison way of looking at things - but I think it's unfortunately true.