NCJ Number
140498
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (Autumn 1992) Pages: 209-218
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Data collected from a sample of 198 college students and 132 individuals who did not have a college education were used to examine the relationship between moral reasoning and ten other factors that could be deterrents to criminal behavior.
Abstract
The 10 deterrent factors used in the study included hurting or disappointing family, being labeled a criminal, losing career opportunities, being caught and arrested, hurting or disappointing friends, going to prison, losing reputation, going to court, violating basic moral principles, and failing to do one's duty to preserve law and order. In general, the findings supported the hypothesized relationship between moral reasoning and the deterrent factors. Those subjects at the lowest level of moral reasoning endorsed the deterrent items that represented formal sanctions, those in the middle level endorsed items that represented informal sanctions imposed by family and friends, and those at the highest level endorsed items that represented abstract ideals. These results imply that policies which attempt to enhance the effectiveness of deterrence are not likely to be effective. Instead, informal and formal sanctions must be enhanced as well. There should be additional research on methods to increase individuals' level of moral reasoning in order to increase the impact of informal factors, including social disapproval and violation of ethical principles. 1 table, 1 appendix, and 37 references