Deterrence and Knowledge of Statutory Penalties

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2276210
AutoresKirk R Williams (Yale University), Jack P Gibbs (Vanderbilt University)
Ano1981
Volume22
Fascículo4
Páginas591-606
Data de publicação1981-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0038-0253 • E-ISSN: 1533-8525
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1533-8525.1981.tb00683.x
OpenAlexW2136741965
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas31

This study examines deterrence theory in light of three questions. First, is there an inverse relation between crime rates and maximum statutory penalties? Second, is there an inverse relation between crime rates and maximum penalties as perceived by potential offenders? Third, what is the accuracy of those perceptions? Classical versions of deterrence theory seemingly assume that the perceptions of potential offenders are substantially accurate, but the present findings (based on a survey of adult Tucson residents) show only a positive correlation (not absolute agreement) between statutory and perceived maximums. Yet there is a substantial inverse relation among types of crimes between statutory maximums (actual or perceived) and crime rates. However, that relation becomes problematic when public disapproval of criminality is controlled because of the collinearity between that aspect of social condemnation and the statutory maximums

Collinearity · Criminology · Deterrence (psychology) · Misdemeanor · Perception · Political science · Relation (database) · Statistics · Statutory law · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Law · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology