On the Edge of Reason? The Thrills and Spills of Armed Robbery

• In Event: Multiple Types of Violence

Abstract

Reporting on findings from in-depth interviews with convicted commercial armed robbers in Australia, this paper explores their self-reported inspirations, views, and experiences of this offense type. In doing so, the paper outlines various aspects of motivation. The usual suspects, such as monetary reward and drug-fuelled crime are represented, but also unveiled are the distinctive and alluring qualities that foreground armed robbery, including hedonic thrills, sensory stimulation, fear arousal, power and control.

Author

• Emmeline Taylor, The Australian National University