Deterrence 2.2

Question 1

What is deterrence?

Answer 1

Uses the threat of punishment to discourage people from committing crime

Question 2

How does deterrence work?

Answer 2

Using threat of punishment to influence individuals decision making process, shifting their ‘cost benefit’ so that perceived risks of crime outweigh the potential rewards

Question 3

What is an example of deterrence?

Answer 3

Speed camera on a busy road

Question 4

How does the underpinning theory make deterrence work?

Answer 4

• based on the psychological and economic principle of rational choice
• increasing the perceived cost or increasing perceived probability that the cost will actually be imposed

Question 5

What are criticisms of deterrence?

Answer 5

• assumption rationality: in realty stress, pressure can lead to irrational deviance
• cannot deter a group that has no boarders