deterrence theory

Question 1

demonic perspective

Answer 1

crime is due to the presence of demonic spirits, crime is thus not a choice but the product of an evil spirit

Question 2

free will, agentic

Answer 2

enlightenment thinkers rejected the notion of demonic spirits as the cause of crime, and instead argued that human behavior was a result of free will
- pushed back against the belief that behavior is determined by factors with which we have no control
- humans have free will, and crime is an exercise of that free will

Question 3

Cesare Beccaria

Answer 3

theorizes that crime is the result of individual choice
- crime occurs when the benefits outweigh the costs
- proposed a system of punishment with two goals: prevents crime, is just
- proposed that we move away from harsh, brutal punishments and towards punishments that are certain, swift, and severe (proportionality)
- “founder of criminology” and the classical school

Question 4

three qualities of punishment in the deterrence model

Answer 4

• punishment will be swift, severe, and certain

Question 5

what has research shown about deterrence theory

Answer 5

there is complexity and variability in human actions, the notion that crime is a product of selfishness cannot account for crimes of passion or expressive crimes.
- severity has no effect on behavior
-certainty has a significant but modest effect on crime
- little is known on the effects of swiftness
- overall research finds very limited support on deterrence

Question 6

policy implications of deterrence theory

Answer 6

• assumes that all people have the same opportunities to exercise rational choice in their lives
• capital punishment is not an effective means for instilling respect for the law in people, because it is excessive, cruel and barbaric.
• corrective philosophy for crime
• deterrence is a central part of juvenile justice systems (school resource officers, metal detectors, locker searches, etc)
• may be able to explain why crime in delinquency is higher in adolescence

Question 7

assumptions of early classical School

Answer 7

• hedonism (all humans are inherently self-interested)
• individuals are responsible for their actions, engaging in crime is a choice
• all offenders are equal- everyone has an ability to make decisions
• offenders are no different from non-offenders

Question 8

general deterrence

Answer 8

how formal sanctions prevent crime among those who have not yet offended

Question 9

specific deterrence

Answer 9

how experiencing sanctions prevents criminals from offending more in the future