A theory introduced in 1979 by Lawrence E. Cohen and Marcus Felson holding that crime occurs when three elements converge in time and space: a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian.
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountCrime requires the convergence, in time and place, of a motivated offender, a suitable target and the absence of a capable guardian. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountThe theory is mainly a macro-level account of crime and victimization; it requires a motivated offender as one of its three elements but does not explain how such offenders become motivated in the first place. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Developed By
Informed
Both approaches explain crime through the convergence of offender, target and setting rather than offender pathology alone.
It targets the opportunity element of the offender, target and guardian convergence.
Sources
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