Evidence for the Adoption of a Learning Theory Approach to Criminal Deterrence: A Preliminary Study
It is a long-held belief that inflicting punishment on criminals will reduce fiiture rates of crime in society. In line with this belief, the current administration in the United States has introduced punishment policies with the aim to “get tough” on violent and drug-related crime. In contrast to this belief in the effectiveness of punishment on crime, many researchers have found that punished offenders evidence similar or higher rates of recidivism than non-punished offenders (DiChiara & Galliher, 1984; Gibbs, 1975; Tittle & Logan, 1973; Zimring and Hawkins, 1973). Previous research studies concerning this topic have been designed solely to test the theory of specific deterrence. It is our contention that methodological and theoretical problems with these previous studies may have impeded their ability to assess the deterrent effect of punishment. We suggest that learning theory provides an alternative theoretical basis for the study of criminal deterrence. The availability of a large-scale, population-based longitudinal data set provides us with the ability to test principles of learning theory as they relate to criminal deterrence, and also to overcome the methodological pitfalls in this area of research.
Violence and Psychopathy
Preface. Part I: Psychopaths. I. Psychopaths and Their Nature: Some Implications for Understanding Human Predatory Violence R.D. Hare. II. Psychopathy, Violence and Brain Imaging A. Raine. III. Emotions and Psychopathy C.J. Patrick. IV. Neurobiology of the Psychopath J.S. Grisolia. Part II: Serial Killers. V. Concept and History of the Serial Killer J. Sanmartin. VI. Motives of the Serial Killer C.A. Skrapec. VII. Psychopathy, Sadism and Serial Killing D.J. Cooke. Part III: Psychosocial Aspects and Treatment. VIII. Psychosocial Contributions to Violence and Psychopathy J. McCord. IX. Is Effective Treatment of Psychopathy Possible? What We Know and What We Need to Know F. Losel.
Factors Affecting Postarrest Dispositions: A Model for Analysis
This paper provides an illustrative application of Goodman's log-linear analysis to the complex analytical problems encountered by criminologists in research on the relationship between social disadvantage and criminalization. Substantively, the analysis deals with the question of whether and to what extent such variables as an arrested individual's age, race, occupational status, and record of incarceration influence the type and severity of the case disposition, and, if such variables are found to have effects, whether that effect is direct or mediated through effects of the nature of the offenses charged. The results of the analysis suggest that assertions of legal system bias against the socially disadvantaged require better evidence than has previously been offered in their support. Further research on the relationship between social disadvantage and criminalization must recognize the complexity of that relationship not only in thEory but equally in the design and execution of research. Log-linear analysis of multidimensional contingency tables appears to be an extremely useful tool for specifying the degree and nature of that complexity.