Rationality and Deterrence

BRD205
Topic 4, Workshop 3
 Rationality

a) Are humans rational?

b) Is the offending population “rational”? Why or why not?

 Deterrence

What is deterrence?

How effective is it?

What are some assumptions and conditions associated with

deterrence?
Some factors to think about…

• Types and conditions of deterrence

o General vs specific
o Swiftness, severity and certainty of punishment
• Rationality
• Crime type (expressive vs instrumental)
• Impulsivity
• Situational crime prevention (crime types and effectiveness)
• Other forms of behaviour modification (i.e., positive reinforcement) vs
punishment.
In what ways does the concept of deterrence work? In what ways is
it ineffective?
 Punishment

Apply the concept of rationality and deterrence to the

following:
a) What is the purpose of punishment?
b) What types of factors do we need to take into account when approaching the
topic of punishment?
Cognitive Dissonance

• Contradictions between our thoughts, attitudes and behaviours.

• I smoke (behaviour)
• Smoking causes cancer (thought)
• Reactions to cognitive dissonance:
1. Modify cognitions…
- I don’t smoke that much (modified from I smoke)
2. Trivialise cognitions…
- The evidence is weak that smoking causes cancer/what doesn’t cause cancer these days?
3. Adding cognitions…
- I exercise so much it doesn’t matter that I smoke
4. Denying cognitions…
- Denying that smoking is bad for you
…
Apply this to offending behaviour
and deterrence
1. Apply to a simple offence (i.e., non-violent)
2. Apply to a more serious offence
i.e., Do speed cameras deter speeding?

1. Modify cognitions…
- I hardly ever speed
2. Trivialise cognitions…
- The fine for speeding is no big deal
3. Adding cognitions…
- I’m too clever to get caught
4. Denying cognitions…
- No one ever gets caught
Applying this week’s knowledge, critique the effectiveness of
“harsher punishments” such as “three strikes” or maximum
penalties and its effectiveness in deterring offending.
 Rise in incarceration rates
without addressing root TBI; individual
Cognitive dissonance circumstances
causes for crime $$
and neutralisations

Politics; fear of crime; feelings of

Restricts judge discretion
public safety; CJS efficacy; trust in
government

Relies on the offender being Tough on crime Negative impacts on certain

aware of these changes in approaches groups in society (I.e., three
punishment. strikes and youth).

Relies on this punishment being taken Violent vs non-violent

into account before offending (which offending; instrumental
is impacted by perceptions of vs expressive; offender
likelihood of being apprehended and
Impact on recidivism rates?
characteristics What else?...
then convicted). Certainty; swiftness, severity
Thank you