NCJ Number
238161
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2012 Pages: 31-39
Date Published
February 2012
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study examined the link between a person's low resting heart-rate (LRHR) and his/her perceptions of the costs and benefits of criminal behavior (rational choice).
Abstract
The study found that LRHR was related to an individual's estimation of the costs and benefits of offending. Perceived costs (anticipated guilt/shame) from committing an assault mediated the relationship between resting heart rate and intent to commit assault. The authors argue that at a minimum, these findings suggest that more research should examine the link between biological characteristics and criminal and/or antisocial behavior. For this study, data were collected from 151 students in 2 large introductory criminology and criminal justice classes at a university in the Southern United States. This sample contained a larger proportion of females and Hispanics than the general student population of the university. Data collection included the measurement of resting heart rate and a self-report survey. The subjects' heart rates were measured within 3 weeks of the administration of the surveys. Heart rate was measured with a CONTECCMS 50D oximeter. Heart rate was measured after respondents had been seated and again after 5 minutes had elapsed. The survey contained three scenarios that described situations in which someone commits a crime. Crime types included assault, theft, and drunk driving. After each scenario, respondents were asked a number of questions regarding their perceptions of the situation that the scenario depicted. Questions measured the anticipated likelihood that the respondent would commit the act described in the scenario and the potential costs and benefits should the respondent commit the act. 3 tables, 75 references, and appended survey