NCJ Number
210395
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2005 Pages: 267-276
Date Published
May 2005
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether the “experiential” and “deterrent” effects of punishment operate differently across gender.
Abstract
Criminologists have long been interested in the “deterrent” effect of sanctions on criminal behavior. Most previous research on deterrence has suggested that sanctions and the threat of sanctions can inhibit future criminal acts. However, some research projects discovered inconsistent findings suggesting that prior criminal activity influences current levels of criminal activity, called the “experiential” effect. Thus, prior involvement in crime without detection can lower perceptions of sanction certainty, thus eroding the deterrent effect. The current study surveyed over 2,000 adolescents in 9 high schools regarding their participation in delinquent activities and their perceptions of sanction certainty to determine whether the experiential and deterrent effects varied across gender. Results of multivariate analyses indicated mixed evidence for the presence of an experiential effect and even greater questions emerged regarding gender differences in the experiential effect. Although findings were mixed, it appeared that there were more similarities than differences across gender in terms of an experiential effect. The results on deterrence indicated robust deterrent effects with more similarities than differences across gender. The findings suggest that gender-specific programming may not be necessary in regards to the deterrence process. Future research should focus on the larger deterrence process across the life-course. Tables, references