Specific Deterrence, Rational Choice, and Decision Heuristics: Applications in Juvenile Justice
In: Social science quarterly, Band 71, Heft 3, S. 585-601
ISSN: 0038-4941
An examination of specific deterrence theory within the broader context of rational choice with recommendations of modifications based on more explicit understanding of decision heuristics (short cuts or rules of thumb used in decision making). Research based on data from 867 adjudicated juvenile offenders whose cases were handled in 6 juvenile courts in the US concludes that a strong sense of citizenship, rather than perceptions of certainty & severity of punishment, is an important crime-deterring factor. Furthermore, punishment-oriented policies did not have the expected effects of deterring crime. Theoretical implications are discussed. 3 Tables, 1 Figure, 31 References. Adapted from the source document.