Someone who subscribes to choice theory would believe that increasing the harshness of a penalty for a particular crime would necessarily lead to fewer such crimes being committed because they believe that individuals are rational decision-makers who weigh the potential benefits and consequences of their actions before making a choice.
According to choice theory, individuals are motivated by their basic needs, such as survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. They make choices that they believe will best satisfy these needs.
If the potential cost of committing a crime is high, such as a harsh penalty, individuals will weigh the costs against the potential benefits and may decide that the risk is not worth taking.
In other words, increasing the harshness of a penalty can act as a deterrent for individuals who are considering committing a crime.