NCJ Number
216815
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 25-50
Date Published
2006
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study tested the applicability of Stafford and Warr’s 1993 reconceptualized theory, stating that people’s tendencies to commit crimes are based on a combination of personal experiences and vicarious experiences with being punished and avoiding punishment, through an examination of people’s intentions to drink and drive.
Abstract
Consistent with Stafford and Warr’s reconceptualization theory, the blending of specific and general deterrence into one theory, the studies have revealed some patterns. Punishment avoidance consistently has been found to be a significant predictor of offending. Also, vicarious, as well as personal experiences are salient factors in decisions about criminal and illicit behavior. However, the results of this study revealed only partial support for deterrence. Prior punishment experiences have been positively related to offending in past studies. In addition, core dimensions of the theory, personal and vicarious experience with punishment and punishment avoidance, have not always related to people’s perceptions of the certainty of future punishment in ways that the theory would predict. Traditionally, deterrence has been conceptualized as involving two distinct processes: general and specific deterrence (Stafford and Warr, 1993). However, more than a decade ago, Stafford and Warr proposed a reconceptualization of deterrence in which general and specific processes were brought together. They asserted that all individuals could be influenced by directly experiencing punishment and punishment avoidance (specific deterrence redefined), as well as by experiencing punishment and punishment avoidance indirectly when others are punished. Only a few studies have tested Stafford and Warr’s new propositions. This study examined this more encompassing conceptualization of deterrence theory. Tables, notes, references, and appendix