Deterrence

Question 1

What is deterrence?

Answer 1

• Putting someone off committing a crime e.g. fear of punishment.
• Individual and general deterrence.

Question 2

What theories link to deterrence?

Answer 2

• Rational choice theory (higher punishments and increased likeliness of getting caught will deter offenders).
• Skinners operant learning theory (if a would-be offender sees a model being punished for offending they will be less likely to imitate).
• Situational crime prevention (target hardening makes it harder to commit a crime successfully).

Question 3

What are criticisms of deterrence?

Answer 3

• Recidivism rates are high which suggests prison isn’t a good deterrent.
• Relies on offenders to act rationally, many offenders are driven by emotions.
• Moral imperatives aren’t deterred by punishment.