CJS - Chapter 6
What does Walker mean by --"deterrence has a simple, intuitive appeal"?
Punishment “should” work – “common sense”
Key problem: Theory vs. Reality
CJS - Chapter 6
What are the basic assumptions of
deterrence theory?
Perceived threat
Rational actor
Cost/benefit analysis (conscious behavior)
CJS - Chapter 6
What are:
– specific deterrence
– general deterrence
– marginal deterrence
(theory)
(research)
CJS - Chapter 6
Is the risk of arrest high?
NO
Do street criminals accurately understand
the risk of arrest?
No - they over-estimate the risk!!!
But most crimes are impulsive!!
CJS - Chapter 6
What does Walker conclude about the
death penalty and deterrence?
This is one of my research specialties –
research indicates that the DP is not a
deterrent. Homicides increase in the wake
of executions.
“brutalization effect”
(more later)
CJS - Chapter 6
How does the issue of delays/appeals
affect DP deterrence?
Theory of deterrence
vs.
Reality – most homicides are impulsive
CJS - Chapter 6
Know general points about deterring
drunk drivers.
Myths and the wedding cake model
(a few high-publicity cases mislead)
Alternative strategies (proactive approaches)
CJS - Chapter 6
“Alternative strategies”
Safer cars
Raise the drinking age
Target bars - liability
Education - designated drivers
Alternative strategies for lowering crime and violence –
jobs, fewer guns, etc.
CJS - Chapter 6
Does research on burglars/robbers
indicate that these are "rational" crimes?
NO -- they over-estimate potential gains
.... and disregard risks
“Losers”!!
CJS - Chapter 6
What has research on deterring domestic violence
found?
Minneapolis experiments
Arrest
Separation
Mediation
Arrest works? Fewer reported incidents!
CJS - Chapter 6
Follow-up studies – doesn’t work!
Fewer reported incidents didn’t mean
fewer incidents!
“Reporting effect”
CJS - Chapter 6
What does W conclude about deterrence?
Doesn’t work ---
+ attempts often “backfire”!
CJS - Chapter 6
Is deterrence (fear of punishment) what
stops most people from committing crimes?
Is fear of punishment all that stops
YOU from committing crimes??
Moral constraints
+ legal behavior works for most of us!
Stereotypes -- “Us” and “Them”
CJS - Chapter 6
Broad process of socialization
vs.
“Culture of violence” effect
CJS - Chapter 6
Abstract theory and “common sense”
about deterrence involve another form of
“paleologic” (primitive irrational logic)
Sometimes punishment seems to “work” in the
short run, but the results are fleeting and the
long term effects are often negative.
[from spanking to prison to death penalty]
CJS - Chapter 6
BACK TO THE DEATH PENALTY
How does the issue of delays/appeals
affect DP deterrence?
Theory of deterrence
vs.
Reality – impulsive crimes
(arguments, alcohol, handy gun)
CJS - Chapter 6
What is brutalization theory?
Violence breeds violence ---
Executions cause homicides to increase
My Ariz and Calif studies
(HOW DONE)
CJS - Chapter 6
Other problems with the DP:
Sham trials and mistakes
Cost of DP system
Discrimination
Most homicides are not DP cases