Final answer:
The view of criminality as rational behavior aligns with behavioral economics and certain sociological theories, suggesting that there is a rational basis for actions once considered irrational, and that individuals, including potential criminals, engage in a rational analysis of their environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who viewed criminality as rational behavior? The overriding view that criminality is rational behavior can be traced back to theories in behavioral economics as well as some sociological perspectives. Early collective behavior theories challenged the idea that crowds act irrationally and began to understand crowd behavior as the rational actions of logical individuals, suggesting that there is method and reason behind behaviors that were once dismissed as mere chaos. In the realm of criminology, this line of thinking is reflected in theories like the Broken Windows theory which posits that potential criminals assess their environments, gauging what behaviors are acceptable, indicating a rational analysis before engaging in crime. Moreover, certain libertarian viewpoints believe that individuals, including those who commit crimes, are motivated by rational self-interest, and that government intervention is often more of a hindrance than a help. Here, the belief is grounded in the view of human nature as rational and inherently peaceful unless provoked or distorted by external forces.