Routine activities theory has a lot in common with rational choice theory. Beginning in the late 1970's, criminologists Marcus Felson and Lawrence Cohen developed this practical approach to understanding and preventing crime. They argued that crime is a product of particular patterns of social interaction that have emerged in the late 20th century. In the course of common everyday activities, like going to work, or walking children to school, or going shopping, opportunities present themselves for crime.

Cohen and Felson's theory focused on the specific elements, or opportunities, necessary to produce a criminal act. The first such element is a motivated offender; and the second element is a suitable target. There must also be an absence of a capable guardian. A guardian can include a person, a surveillance camera, or even a dog. Only when these three elements are present is a crime likely to occur.

Without the proper opportunities people would not be able to commit crime even if they were motivated to do so. Everyday interactions bring criminals and suitable victims together. For example, during working hours throughout the week, crimes like burglaries are likely to happen because people are at work and their homes are unattended. Also some locations, which are called hot spots, like dark city alleys, or unlit parking lots, or places where motivated offenders congregate, are the most likely places for crimes to occur.