Low Self-control and Sanction Threats: A Study of Deterrence as a Communication Theory

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Abstract

According to deterrence theory, individuals refrain from acting on criminal motives when sanction costs are higher than benefits. Although many studies on deterrence theory challenge its ability to explain perceptions and crime rate variations, individual characteristics and situational contexts have been neglected. This study emphasizes the communicational aspect of the deterrence theory. The conceptual framework integrates key concepts of conditional and situational deterrence. Hence, deterrence is conceived as a function of the number of channels transmitting the deterrent message, the intensity of the message and the proximity between the criminal opportunities and the message. Using such a framework could also shed light on individual characteristics (e.g. low self-control) influencing receptivity to punishment threat. This research rests on a sample of 442 young drivers who answered several questions on their driving habits, risk perceptions and exposure to punishment. Preliminary results suggest that drivers with a low self-control are deterred by punishment when they are exposed to sanction threat (e.g. police officers enforcing speed limits) in an environment where they have the opportunity to infringe criminal and administrative laws.

Authors

• Brigitte Poirier, Université de Montréal

• Étienne Blais, Université de Montréal