Which theory proposes that crime happens when a motivated offender, a suitable target, and lack of guardianship come together?

• A. Routine activities theory
• B. Self-selection
• C. Immigrant-serving organizations
• D. Culture conflict theory

Answer: (A)

Crime occurs when three elements converge in time and space: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardians. This is the idea behind routine activities theory, which shows how everyday routines create opportunities for crime. When guardianship is lacking and targets are accessible, the chance of crime rises, even if offender motivation stays the same. The theory helps explain why property offenses cluster in settings with high movement and low surveillance and informs prevention efforts like improving lighting, increasing supervision, and making targets harder to access. Other options describe different ideas—self-selection about how individuals choose environments, immigrant-serving organizations focusing on community resources, and culture conflict theory about clashes between groups—rather than this focus on opportunity created by routine activities.