Oral Presentations
Location
Hopwood Auditorium
Access Type
Event
Event Website
http://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/red-letter-day/student-scholar-showcase/
Entry Number
155
Start Date
4-6-2016 3:30 PM
End Date
4-6-2016 3:45 PM
Abstract
The focus of this study is to provide a comparative analysis of routine activities theory and focal concerns theory as it applies to the phenomena of African elephant poaching. As described by Ellison (2010), routine activities theory requires a capable target, a motivated offender, and a lack of suitable guardian. However, focal concerns theory identifies individuals commit crimes because of the pleasure created from trouble, excitement, smartness, toughness, fate, and autonomy (Forsyth & Marchese, 1993). As the world continues to globalize in market and trade, there is a concern to protect endangered species that are sought after for desired physical characteristics. Using peer-reviewed empirical research, this study will be a comparative analysis examining how well routine activities theory and focal concerns theory are able to explain the phenomenon of elephant poaching in Africa. Through the study of poaching, this will reveal more information about the crime of poaching in Africa and the implications it not only has on protected wildlife, but also on the societal norms of the region. This study expects to find that routine activities theory provides a more thorough and complete explanation for poaching than focal concerns theory, though it is possible neither theory adequately explains the four later identified parameters of poaching.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Sharon B. Foreman
Behind the Tusk: Examining the Phenomenon of African Elephant Poaching through Routine Activities Theory and Focal Concerns Theory
Hopwood Auditorium
The focus of this study is to provide a comparative analysis of routine activities theory and focal concerns theory as it applies to the phenomena of African elephant poaching. As described by Ellison (2010), routine activities theory requires a capable target, a motivated offender, and a lack of suitable guardian. However, focal concerns theory identifies individuals commit crimes because of the pleasure created from trouble, excitement, smartness, toughness, fate, and autonomy (Forsyth & Marchese, 1993). As the world continues to globalize in market and trade, there is a concern to protect endangered species that are sought after for desired physical characteristics. Using peer-reviewed empirical research, this study will be a comparative analysis examining how well routine activities theory and focal concerns theory are able to explain the phenomenon of elephant poaching in Africa. Through the study of poaching, this will reveal more information about the crime of poaching in Africa and the implications it not only has on protected wildlife, but also on the societal norms of the region. This study expects to find that routine activities theory provides a more thorough and complete explanation for poaching than focal concerns theory, though it is possible neither theory adequately explains the four later identified parameters of poaching.
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/studentshowcase/2016/Presentations/8