NCJ Number
89520
Date Published
1982
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses five principles which yield predictions about deterrence of delinquent acts by the use of negative sanctions in the form of testable hypotheses.
Abstract
The first principle, intensity of aversive stimulus, holds that when shock is used, more severe punishment suppresses behavior more thoroughly. The second principle, temporal proximity of the punishment to the behavior, asserts that punishment is more effective when less time is allowed to pass between act and sanction. A juvenile's cognitive and language capacities may be used to help overcome the effects of delay of punishment, however. The third principle, availability of reward for the behavior, holds that past rewards strengthen behaviors, and rewards concurrent with punishment serve to maintain the behavior, yielding only a temporary suppressive punishment effect. This suggests a need for detection of delinquency early in a juvenile's career and reduction in the opportunities available for reward from illegal acts. The fourth principle, the schedule of delivery of punishment, maintains that punishment of every instance of a behavior is more effective than intermittent punishment delivery. This suggests that uncertainty of punishment may increase juveniles' willingness to commit illegal acts. The final principle, the need for available alternatives to the punished response, suggests that rehabilitation efforts must accompany punishment. The application of any of these principles of punishment would be premature without extensive research that explores the issues raised in this paper. Sixty-seven references are listed. (Author abstract modified)