ECONOMIC ANALYSES OF THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT A REVIEW

• NCJ Number: 40054
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1977) Pages: 4-21
• Author(s): J PALMER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER PRESENTS A REVIEW OF RECENT ECONOMIC ANALYSES OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR TO FAMILIARIZE NON-ECONOMISTS WITH THEORETICAL MODELS, DATA SETS, AND STATISTICAL METHODS USED BY ECONOMISTS WHO STUDY PUNISHMENT AND DETERRENCE.

Abstract

THE ECONOMIC INTERPRETATION OF THE COST AND BENEFIT THEORY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS EXPLAINED. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT THAT ALTHOUGH PUNISHMENT MAY DETER CRIME, ECONOMISTS DO NOT NECESSARILY BELIEVE IT IS THE OPTIMAL METHOD OF DETERRENCE. FOLLOWING THE GENERAL DISCUSSION, THE DATA, STATISTICAL METHODS, AND CONCLUSIONS OF MANY OF THE ECONOMIC ANALYSES ARE BROADLY SUMMARIZED. A 78-ITEM BIBLIOGRAPHY OF RECENT EMPIRICAL AND/OR THEORETICAL RESEARCH BY ECONOMISTS ON THE DETERRENCE HYPOTHESIS IS INCLUDED....PLO