SEVERITY OF FORMAL SANCTIONS AS A DETERRENT TO DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (FROM CRIME AND JUSTICE, 1970-1971, 1972, BY J SUSMAN - SEE NCJ-27315)

• NCJ Number: 27323
• Author(s): R G SALEM; W J BOWERS
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 20 pages
• Corporate Author: AMS Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DATA FROM COLLEGE COMMUNITIES IS EXAMINED TO DETERMINE BOTH THE DIRECT EFFECT OF FORMAL SANCTIONS ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND THE INDIRECT EFFECT, THROUGH STIMULATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF SOCIAL NORMS.

Abstract

DATA INCLUDE 1962-1963 INFORMATION FROM 99 COLLEGES ON RATES OF SPECIFIC FORMS OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THESE ACTIONS ARE DISAPPROVED, AND THE USUAL LEGAL OR INSTITUTIONAL SANCTIONS APPLIED. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED ALCOHOL USE, DAMAGING AND STEALING LIBRARY BOOKS, AND CHEATING. DATA ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE SEVERITY OF FORMAL SANCTIONS HAS NOT DIRECT DETERRENT EFFECT ON DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, ALTHOUGH STUDENTS ATTITUDES TOWARD SUCH BEHAVIOR WAS FOUND TO REFLECT THE SEVERITY OF SANCTIONS. THIS IS INTERPRETED TO INDICATE AN INDIRECT DETERRENT EFFECT BY REINFORCEMENT OF THE DESIRED NORMATIVE CLIMATE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ABSENCE OF DIRECT EFFECT IS DUE TO THE REMOTENESS OF THE SANCTIONS TO MOST PEOPLE. SEVERAL STUDIES ARE CITED WHICH INDICATE THAT PERCEIVED CERTAINTY OF APPREHENSION HAS A MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED DETERRENT EFFECT THAN DOES SEVERITY OF SANCTIONS.