CONTROL OF SHOPLIFTING - MODEL CHARACTERISTICS AND RESPONSE CONTINGENCIES AS DETERMINANTS OF BYSTANDER INTERVENTION - PROJECT REPORT

• NCJ Number: 1971
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 64 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-70-065-PG-14
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University of Utah
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS FIELD STUDY INVESTIGATED BYSTANDER AND SHOPLIFTER CHARACTERISTICS DIFFERENTIALLY RELATED TO BYSTANDER RATES OF OBSERVING AND OF REPORTING SHOPLIFTING.

Abstract

SIMULATED SHOPLIFTING INCIDENTS WERE STAGED IN TWO LARGE DRUG-VARIETY STORES, ONE IN AN UPPER-INCOME, SUBURBAN AREA, THE SECOND IN A LOWER-INCOME, CENTRAL-CITY LOCATION. THE DRESS OF THE GIRL SHOPLIFTER WAS VARIED (HIPPIE, YOUTH-CULTURE DRESS OR CONVENTIONAL, CONSERVATIVE CLOTHING). OBSERVERS RECORDED GENDER AND ESTIMATED AGE OF OBSERVERS AS WELL AS THEIR DURATION AND DIRECTNESS OF OBSERVATION OF SHOPLIFTER, AND ATTEMPTS TO REPORT THE SHOPLIFTER TO STORE PERSONNEL. DESPITE THE USE OF ATTENTION-ATTRACTING PROCEDURES ONLY ABOUT 26 PERCENT OF THE SHOPPERS TESTED WERE JUDGED TO HAVE NOTICED THE SHOPLIFTING. OF THESE OBSERVERS, APPROXIMATELY 30 PERCENT REPORTED THE SHOPLIFTER. CHARACTERISTICALLY, SHOPPERS DO NOT REPORT SHOPLIFTERS TO STORE PERSONNEL. THE DATA HELP REVEAL WHY THIS IS SO AND OFFER GUIDELINES FOR CONSUMER EDUCATION AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS WHICH WOULD INCREASE BYSTANDER INTERVENTION.