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Routine Activity Theory and 13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why: Routine Activity Theory

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Theories of Crime Through Popular Culture
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Abstract

Cohen and Felson’s (American Sociological Review, 44, 588–608, 1979) routine activity theory has been one of the most applied and researched theories in criminology. Many researchers have conducted various studies testing the theory and applying it to specific types of crimes. Routine activity theory has been applied to numerous criminal or deviant behaviors in an attempt to explain why the acts were committed by using three key elements. This chapter will focus on the roles characters play throughout the Netflix TV series 13 Reasons Why. The roles describe how criminal or deviant behaviors are a result of three elements captured by Cohen and Felson’s (American Sociological Review, 44, 588–608, 1979) routine activity theory. This chapter will explain the setting and situation of each episode describing which character plays the role of each element within the theory. The chapter will display a range of criminal or deviant behaviors which ultimately leads to a tragic ending. Due to the level of traumatic events within the series, the show remains extremely controversial throughout its four seasons.

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Robinson, C.D. (2021). Routine Activity Theory and 13 Reasons Why. In: Daly, S.E. (eds) Theories of Crime Through Popular Culture. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54434-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54434-8_9

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-54433-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-54434-8

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

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