Offender Recidivism and the Emotional Rewards of Crime

• In Event: Emotions, Social Rewards and Offending

Abstract

Prior studies reveal that many offenders associate criminal activity with significant emotional rewards, including excitement and thrills (non-social reinforcement). Further, these emotional associations appear to be closely linked to the threat of apprehension and punishment; that is, crime is exciting precisely because it is challenging and risky for the offender. These observations have implications for deterrence, as offenders who are driven by the emotional rewards of crime may respond in a unique way to punishment, resulting in a high probability of recidivism. We use a multi-methods approach to examine this possibility, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data.

Authors

• Timothy Brezina, Georgia State University

• Volkan Topalli, Georgia State University