TOWARD A MACRO-SOCIOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF GENERAL DETERRENCE (FROM SOCIAL SYSTEM, CRIME, DELINQUENCY, AND DEVIANCE - A READER IN STRUCTURALLY ORIENTED STUDIES, 1976, BY GLORIA COUNT-VAN MANEN - SEE NCJ-46530)

• NCJ Number: 46531
• Author(s): W B BANKSTON; J A CRAMER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 30 pages
• Corporate Author: University Press of America
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM CRIMINOLOGY, V 12, N 3 (NOVEMBER 1974)

Annotation

LITERATURE ON GENERAL DETERRENCE AS A MACROSOCIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON IS EXAMINED IN AN ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE VARIABLES PERTINENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF TESTABLE HYPOTHESES CONCERNING DETERRENCE.

Abstract

THREE PERSPECTIVES ON GENERAL DETERRENCE -- THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND THE POSITIONS OF DURKHEIM AND SUMNER -- ARE DISCUSSED. THE FOLLOWING VARIABLES AFFECTING THE GENERAL DETERRENT VALUE OF LEGAL SANCTIONS ARE ANALYZED: CERTAINTY OF APPREHENSION AND SEVERITY OF SANCTION; TYPE OF THREATENED BEHAVIOR; LATENT DETERRENT FUNCTIONS OF LEGAL THREATS, INCLUDING THE EDUCATIVE FUNCTION AND THE DENIAL OF ACCESS TO SERVICES OR COMMODITIES NEEDED IN ORDER TO DEVIATE; AND NORMATIVE STRUCTURE (I.E., THE CONFLICT OF CONDUCT AND LEGAL NORMS). IT IS CONTENDED THAT COMPLIANCE RATES, WHICH ARE IN EFFECT OF THESE VARIABLES, MAY BE USED AS THE EMPIRICAL INDEX OF GENERAL DETERRENCE. GENERAL PROPOSITIONAL STATEMENTS REGARDING THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EACH OF THE VARIABLES AND GENERAL DETERRENCE ARE SET FORTH. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)