An Examination of the Impact of Romantic Relationships on Cost Perceptions and Criminal Intentions

• In Event: Examining Theoretical Propositions for Offending Career Dimensions

Abstract

A number of studies have found that marriage can lead to reductions in criminal behavior (Laub, Nagin & Sampson, 1998; Sampson, Laub & Wimer 2006). Sampson and Laub’s (1993) age-graded theory of informal social control explains how adult social bonds such as marriage can create social controls which then reduce criminal involvement and recidivism. Additional research has demonstrated that having “stakes in conformity”, such as employment make individuals more deterrable, as they then have something to lose if they are formally sanctioned (Nagin, 1998; Sherman, 1992). The current study will use data from a survey containing hypothetical scenarios and will explore how social bonds such as romantic relationships and the quality of the relationships impact current inmates’ estimates of their likelihood of engaging in criminal behaviors, as well as the perceived costs and benefits of engaging in such behavior. ​

Authors

• Nicole Niebuhr, Sam Houston State University

• Jeff Bouffard, Sam Houston State University